Here is the Newest Devastating Threat to Bees
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This tiny parasite is a honeybee pest from Asia called Tropilaelaps mites or “tropi” mites for short, but don’t let the name fool you because it’s not just found in the tropics anymore.
The primary host for Tropilaelaps mites so far is the giant Asian honey bee Apis breviligula, Apis dorsata, and Apis laboriosa. They also live off Asian bee species like Apis florae and Apis cerana.
Western honey bees are extremely vulnerable to Tropilaelaps mites because unlike native Asian species, they haven’t developed any behavioral defenses to fight infestations.
In 2024 their presence was confirmed in Europe for the first time, and scientists are certain the mites will soon appear in the Americas. They can cause an epic collapse of honeybee populations that could devastate crops and wild flowering plants across the continent.
Other countries have already felt the harmful effects of this mite. The parasites scorched a devastating path through Southeast Asia and India because crops there are smaller and more diverse there than in giant North American farms.
The economic effects of the mite were felt primarily by beekeepers, who experienced massive colony losses soon after Tropilaelaps arrived.
The parasite has already spread through northern Asia, the Middle East, Oceania and Central Asia and is now sighted in Europe.
These sightings have sounded alarms on both sides of the Atlantic because an ocean cannot stop them for long. Mites can stow away on ships, that are smuggled or hidden on imported bees. “The acceleration of the Tropi mites spread has become so clear that no one can deny it’s gunning for us,” said Ramsey, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, on the Beekeeping Today podcast in 2023.
According to a Scientific American article referenced below, Ramsey first saw a Tropilaelaps mite in 2017, also in Thailand. He had traveled there to study another damaging parasite of honeybees, the aptly named Varroa destructor mites. But when he opened his first hive, he instead saw the stunning effect of Tropilaelaps.
Stunted bees were crawling across the hive frames, and the next-generation brood of cocooned pupae were staring out of their hexagonal cells in the hive with purple-pigmented eyes, exposed to the elements after their infested cell caps had been chewed away by nurse bees in a frenzy to defend the colony.
At the hive entrances, bees were trembling on the ground or wandering in drunken circles. Their wings and legs were deformed, abdomens misshapen, and their bodies had a greasy sheen where hairs had worn off. The colony was doomed.
At beeprofessor.com they suggest these practices for beekeepers to prevent Tropilaelaps mites.
Beekeepers can adopt various strategies to manage and reduce the risk of mite infestations:
- Regular monitoring: Regular hive inspections allow for early detection. Report unusual signs immediately to the appropriate government authority.
- Hygienic bee strains: Using bee breeds known for hygienic behavior can be beneficial. They are better at detecting and removing infestations.
- Hygienic practices: Beekeepers should regularly clean tools, protective gear, and equipment.
- Maintain strong colonies: Healthy, thriving bee colonies are more resistant to pests and diseases. Regular feeding, if necessary, and ensuring the hive has a prolific queen can help maintain colony strength.
- Quarantine new colonies: A newly introduced colony to the bee yard should be quarantined initially, allowing time to monitor for mites.
4Rbees has had tremendous success with PureWave™ cells controlling and/or eliminating Varroa mites organically in our beehives so we believe it will have a similar effect on Tropilaelaps mites because our bees are so healthy.
We’re determined to get ahead of this coming infestation and find out for sure though and we’ll need to test the PureWave™ Cell on Tropilaelaps Mites specifically, but we’ll need your help.
Research and study takes a lot of time and money when no big commercial operations or government organizations are interested in funding our research but we’re 100% committed to saving the bees from whatever threats come their way. Our own survival may depend on it!
So please consider donating or pledging whatever you can afford to help us because we can’t do this without your help.
Let’s Save The Bees Together!
The bees, the wildlife, the planet and the entire team at 4RBees are eternally grateful for your continued support because we couldn’t do any of this without good caring people like you.
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Reference:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-new-bee-crisis-could-make-your-food-scarce-and-expensive/
