Kika De La Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center Weslaco, Texas, USA (Wikimedia Commons)
Kika De La Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center Weslaco, Texas, USA (Wikimedia Commons)
  • More commonly known as the honeybee mite
  • Notifiable disease in the UK
  • Oval
  • 1-1.5mm in length
  • Eggs are laid in the hive and develop with the brood cells


Pathogenesis

  • Blood-sucking
  • Weakens adult bees
  • Damages growing larval bees resulting in deformities


Control

  • Acaricidal strips hung between combs
  • Destroy colonies in apiary (if isolated outbreak)
  • Monitor mite numbers and treat if widespread