Acarapis woodi, endoparasite of honeybees, from being qualified as the pest of the century to a forgotten case in Mexico Acarapis woodi (Rennie), endoparásito de las abejas, de ser calificado como plaga del siglo a un caso olvidado en México

Abstract

Objective: This work was carried out to determine the incidence of Acarapis woodi (Rennie) infesting the tracheae of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) in colonies not previously treated against the mite Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, and to discuss the current status of the former mite in Mexico, based on our own observations and historical information.

Design/methodology/approach: Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies that had never been treated against the mite V. destructor were sampled to detect A. woodi inside their thoracic tracheae. A sample of 20 worker bees was taken from each colony, they were stored in 70% ethanol and examined at most two days after their collection. Harvesting worker bees staying on the side frames, hive entrance and interior lid were selected because there can be found the oldest bees that are more likely of being infested. For the diagnostics, the technique of dissection and microscopic observation was used.

Results: None of the examined colonies, none of the examined honey bees present tracheal infestation.

Limitations on study/implications: Although only one bee yard was observed, it showed a general trend observed in Mexico and many other countries in America, mostly in tropical and subtropical places. After an initial expansive wave of A. woodi, infestations of this mite became less and less frequent until they are difficult to detect.

Findings/conclusions: The increasingly reduced prevalence of A. woodi has been attributed to climatic changes and treatments against V. destructor. However, we postulate that this reduction is due to development of resistance by honeybees.