Tracheal Mites

Tracheal Mites#

1 . When were tracheal mites introduced into the United States?

1984

2 . What is the scientific name for tracheal mites?

Acarapis woodi

3 . How did the outbreak of the tracheal mite on the Isle of Wright in Great Britain in the early 20th century effect beekeeping in the US?

The US Congress passed the honey bee act of 1922 which closed the borders to bee imports for the next 83 years. Unfortunately, after their arrival in the US in 1984, tracheal mites were associated with large scale bee deaths.

4 . What are the symptoms of tracheal mite infestation in a colony?

  1. Bees are incapable of forming contiguous winter clusters

  2. Bees crawl on the grass around the hive entrance

  3. Bees incapable of flying

5 . What are the two chemical control methods used to control tracheal mites?

  1. Pelletized menthol crystals

  2. Formic acid

6 . What non-chemical (IPM) practices can a beekeeper do to reduce the tracheal mite population?

Extender Patty – is a mixture of vegetable oil and sugar compressed into a pancake size patty. These patties are placed on top of the brood chamber. The bees become coated with the oil as they are attracted to the patty to feed. The oil “cloaks” their bodies inhibiting the tracheal mites from locating the spiracles and entering the trachea of adult bees.