Mite Culprits for Causing Mortality and Reduction in Population of Honey Bee Colonies and Measures for Pests Control

Abstract

This article highlights the most serious invasion of the honey bee colonies by mite pests resulting
in an irregular brood pattern or death and stresses upon tactics of maintaining minimum
population level of culprits. Parasitic mites are currently the greatest pest threat to honey bees
and their colonies, and infested colonies can probably perish if action is not taken to control
pests. Thus, they are a significant threat to beekeeper’s income and satisfaction. Mites in genera
Varroa, Acarapis and Tropilaelaps are cruel parasites of honey bee brood feeding on bee adults,
larvae and pupae causing brood malformation, death of bees and subsequent colony decline or
absconding. Worldwide, Varroa destructor is an external parasitic mite that attacks honey bees
Apis cerana and Apis mellifera, and disease caused by mites is called varroosis. Tracheal mite
(Acarapis woodi) parasite of honey bee has also been discovered to spread throughout wholly
regions of some states, leaving behind thousands of dead bee colonies. Tracheal mite is
suspected of playing a major role in causing excessive statewide colony losses in recent years
with much loss. Tropilaelaps mites (Tropilaelaps clareae and T. mercedesae) are external
parasitic mites that feed on haemolymph (blood) of drone and worker bee pupae, as well as
reproduce on honey bee brood. These mites can also harm to bees indirectly by serving as
transmitters of several viruses that can kill bees. Virtually, all feral or wild honey bee colonies
have been wiped out by these mites, and beekeepers are continuing to struggle with infestations
in their hives. These secondary infections are facilitated when mites compromise to bee’s
immune systems with condition known as parasitic mite syndrome, which can kill colonies
within months of infection. Therefore, it is vital, to understand parasitic mites and options
available for their control. Monitoring hives for mite levels enables beekeepers to determine
whether treatment is necessary and to make informed decisions about when to take action. Early
detection of low levels of mite infestations is a key to its successful management as they can be
spotted during colony inspection if present in high numbers that tends to only identify larger
infestations. There are some products available that can kill mites and cause these pests to drop
from bees. Treatment strips should be hung in the brood nest area of colony for approximately 4
weeks. This is to be used with sticky paper and a fine-mesh screen on bottom board of a colony
to capture any mites that may have been present after removal. However, exclusive and continual
use of one chemical product is more likely to result in resistance by pest. So, several different
products should be used on a rotating basis and under any circumstances, and never experiment
with non-approved chemical treatments. Such practices are illegal and may result in bees death,
contamination of honey and wax, and severe harm to beekeepers, so, it is recommended that all
beekeepers should receive training and certification. Reliance on a single approach is not a long
term solution and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) using a combination of different control
methods at different times is imperative in order to keep mite populations lower to cause
significant harm to a bee colony.