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The adult bee near the center right, has a mite piggybacking on its thorax. The mites suck the body fluids from adults and brood, though they prefer brood, especially drone brood. |
Varroa mites originated in southeast Asia, where they were a parasite on the Asian honeybee (a different species). When European honeybees were taken to the region, the mite crossed over to the new bees. Gradually they have spread until most of the world's European honeybees are afflicted. Some areas of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and a few pockets, here and there, are still free of the pest.
Asian honeybees had been able to tolerate the varroa mite. The mite was a pest, but not a fatal one. European bees have almost no resistance, and the mite has proved fatal to millions of colonies.
There are several treatments used around the world to suppress varroa mites, though only one, Apistan, is legal in the US.
The presence of the mite has removed most
wild honeybee colonies from the US. Domestic honeybees, that are well managed are not
usually affected. There used to be a lot of beekeepers whose only management was to
"rob" the bees once or twice a year. These bee "havers" are mostly
gone, as well, and only bee "keepers" are remaining.
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Several mites on a drone larva.
Pulling out a few drone larvae (or better pupae) is a quick way to check for these mites.
Mites are reddish brown and stand out against the white baby drone. Finding one mite while
checking ten or twenty drones is cause to treat. Finding several mites on each drone may
indicate a hive too late to save. |
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A newly emerged worker bee that has been badly damaged as a baby by these "vampire" mites. She has no wings, hardly any abdomen, and her rear legs are paralyzed. She cannot work, and will not live long. |
The Varroa WWW Hub worldwide links to varroa information
Biological Control of Varroa destructor
