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; according to the Tropilaelaps Mites 2024 United States Primer, they have been reported in China, Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state), India, Indonesia (except Sulawesi), Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines (Palawan only) Russia (Krasnodar and Krai only), South Korea, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. 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 (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and USDA 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. The Tropilaelpas Mites 2024 United States Primer from Apiary Inspectors of America, Auburn University, Honey Bee Health Coalition, Pollinator Partnership, Project Apis m., USDA covers Tropilaelaps mite information in greater detail. The Tropilaelaps Training 2024 Documentary Series from Project Apis m. has videos on what beekeepers should know about Tropilaelaps mites and information from Thailand, where the mite is found in honey bee colonies.

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

Download Tropilaelaps Mites 2024 United States Primer

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 (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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  • agriculture,
  • animal agriculture,
  • beekeeping,
  • integrated pest management,
  • managed pollinator protection plan,
  • msu extension,
  • pollinators and pollination
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