Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The presence of varroa in the colony (PMS is always associated with varroa).
A reduction in the colony's population (most diseases).
Larvae of all ages are affected.
Larvae stretched out in the cells with their heads raised (sacbrood).
Crawling, moribund bees leaving the hive (viral diseases/poisoning/starvation).
The possible supersedure of the queen (nosema).
The presence of varroa on the pupae.
The cappings perforated or the cells left uncapped by the bees (AFB).
Tropilaelaps clarae
This mite is similar to varroa in its effect on a colony, but it can be distinguished
easily from varroa by its elongated shape, as opposed to the crab shape of varroa (see
Photograph 15 in the colour photograph section of this topic; compare this with the
varroa mite shown in Photograph 11).
Tropilaelaps clarae
is not yet a pest in most
countries outside its natural, far-eastern range but, like varroa it could spread, and
beekeepers are asked to keep an eye out for this new danger.
Identifying Tropilaelaps clarae
As noted above,
Tropilaelaps clarae
is smaller than varroa, and it is elongated, not crab
shaped. If the infestation is high, there will be an irregular, punctured brood pattern
and malformed brood. The adult bees may have deformed wings (see Photograph 16 in
the colour photograph section of this topic).
Similar diagnostic tests to varroa can be used to determine a
T. c l a r a e
infestation,
particularly an inspection of the capped brood.
Treating of Tropilaelaps clarae
Treatment is similar to that used in varroa control.
Tropilaelaps clarae
has, however, one
major weakness in that it cannot exist outside the cell for long. Brood-less periods will
therefore clean the hive of mites.
