Tropilaelaps mite information for beekeepers

Ana Heck<heckanar@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Resources for learning about Tropilaelaps spp., mites that can parasitize various species of honey bees, including Apis mellifera.

A varroa mite and a Tropilaelaps mite next to each other with a gray background. The varroa mite is larger than the Tropilaelaps mite.
A Varroa destructor mite (left) and a Tropilaelaps spp. mite (right). Varroa mites are honey bee parasites found in nearly all honey bee colonies in North America, whereas Tropilaelaps mites are not believed to be in North America. Photo by Zachary Huang, MSU.

Tropilaelaps mites, which are sometimes referred to as “tropi mites,” can parasitize various species of honey bees, including Apis mellifera, the Western honey bee. Apis mellifera is currently the only species of honey bee found and managed in the United States. Tropilaelaps mites originate from Asia, but according to "Featured Creatures Tropilaelaps mite" and "First report of established mite populations, Tropilaelaps mercedesae, in Europe," they have been reported in Papua New Guinea, Kenya and Russia. As of October 2024, Tropilaelaps mites are not known to be in North America. Tropilaelaps mites harm honey bees by feeding on developing bees, which can lead to shorter bee lifespans, and vectoring viruses, including deformed wing virus.

Many apiary inspectors, researchers, extension educators and honey bee organizations are investing time and effort in learning about Tropilaelaps mites and sharing educational resources. The Apiary Inspectors of America, Auburn University, Honey Bee Health Coalition, Pollinator Partnership, Project Apis m., U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service released a Tropilaelaps fact sheet that describes the mite’s life cycle, what the mite looks like, and what to do if you suspect the mite in your honey bee colonies.

Download Fact Sheet: Tropilaelaps, A Growing Threat to Honey Bees

Resources and additional information on Tropilaelaps mites

Acknowledgements

This article was published in collaboration with the Managed Pollinator Protection Working Group.

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Crop Protection and Pest Management Program through the North Central IPM Center (2018-70006-28883 and 2022-70006-38001).

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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  • beekeeping,
  • integrated pest management,
  • managed pollinator protection plan,
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  • pollinators and pollination
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