Resources
Tropilaelaps Mites
This guide can help you learn about and identify Tropilaelaps. While it is not thought to be in North America yet; beekeepers can work together to safeguard our pollinators from this emerging threat.
Tropilaelaps (or Tropi) mites are a growing concern for beekeepers in North America. There are four recognized species of Tropilaelaps, which are all originally parasites of Asian honey bees. Among these mites, Tropilaelaps mercedesae is the primary concern for beekeepers in North America because it has successfully switched hosts to parasitize the western honey bee and has expanded its geographical range. Its native range is in South and Southeast Asia, corresponding to its original host’s range (giant honey bees, Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa). When the western honey bee (European honey bee, Apis mellifera) was brought into Asia for honey production, Tropilaelaps quickly switched hosts and became a major pest of the western honey bee. It was believed that Tropilaelaps mites could not survive in areas where winter brood breaks occur due to cold weather, but it has become established in some areas where winter brood breaks are assumed to occur. So far, Tropilaelaps are not known to be in North America.
Identifying and Mitigating Foulbrood in honey bee colonies; Information for Beekeepers and Veterinarians articulates what are American Foulbrood (AFB) and European Foulbrood (EFB), how to test for AFB/EFB, and what to do if there is a positive diagnosis. It’s important to note that antibiotics do not treat AFB, but only mask the symptoms, and that antibiotics should only be used as a last resort for EFB.
The Honey Bee Health Coalition released an updated edition of the guide in November 2022.
