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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Baton Rouge, Louisiana » Honey Bee Lab » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #306582
Title: Tropilaelaps mercedesae and Varroa destructor: prevalence and reproduction in concurrently infested Apis mellifera colonies

Author
item BUAWANGPONG, NINAT - Chiang Mai University
item De Guzman, Lilia
item KHONGPHINITBUNJONG, KITIPHONG - Chiang Mai University
item Frake, Amanda
item BURGETT, MICHAEL - Oregon State University
item CHANTAWANNAKUL, PANUWAN - Chiang Mai University

Submitted to: Apidologie
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/14/2015
Publication Date: 5/13/2015
Citation: Buawangpong, N., De Guzman, L.I., Khongphinitbunjong, K., Frake, A.M., Burgett, M., Chantawannakul, P. 2015. Tropilaelaps mercedesae and Varroa destructor: prevalence and reproduction in concurrently infested Apis mellifera colonies. Apidologie doi: 10:1007/s13592-015-0368-8.

Interpretive Summary: Tropilaelaps mercedesae and Varroa destructor are the most destructive parasites of A. mellifera colonies in Asia. Thus, the possible introduction of Tropilaelaps into the US will be an added burden to an already suffering industry. This study assessed levels of co-infestations and reproduction of both mite genera in concurrently infested A. mellifera colonies in Northern Thailand. Although infestations by each mite genus varied throughout the year, natural co-infestation of an individual brood cell by both mite genera was rare. The proportion of non-reproductive foundress Tropilaelaps (no progeny produced) was lower than that of Varroa in naturally infested brood. Both mites produced similar numbers of progeny. Both mite genera also reproduced normally even when they were deliberately introduced into the same brood cells. Our results on the higher prevalence and reproductive ability of T. mercedesae in concurrently infested colonies reaffirm Tropilaelaps’ competitive advantage over V. destructor and their reported negative impact to A. mellifera colonies.

Technical Abstract: The prevalence of Tropilaelaps mercedesae and Varroa destructor in concurrently infested A. mellifera colonies in Thailand was monitored. We also assessed the reproductive ability of T. mercedesae and V. destructor in naturally infested brood and in brood cells deliberately infested with both mite genera. Our results showed that natural co-infestation of an individual brood cell by both mite genera was rare. Overall, T. mercedesae was the more dominant brood parasite of A. mellifera than V. destructor. In naturally infested brood, the proportion of non-reproductive (no progeny produced) Tropilaelaps was lower than that of Varroa. Both mites produced similar numbers of progeny. The two mite genera also reproduced normally even when they were deliberately introduced into the same brood cells. In two separate assessments, the average worker brood infestations of T. mercedesae were significantly higher than that of V. destructor. Our results on the higher prevalence and reproductive ability of T. mercedesae in concurrently infested colonies reaffirm Tropilaelaps’ competitive advantage over V. destructor and their reported negative impact to A. mellifera colonies.