Acarapis woodi

Definition

A microscopic parasitic mite (order Trombidiformes, family Tarsonemidae) that infests the tracheal system of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera). Adults and immature stages live and reproduce within the host's thoracic airways, causing acarine disease (acarapisosis), which weakens colonies through reduced flight capacity, shortened lifespan, and winter mortality. Infestations are diagnosed by dissecting tracheae or molecular detection, as mites are <175 µm and invisible without microscopy. Originally described from the Isle of Wight in 1921, the species has since spread globally with managed bees.

Etymology

Genus Acarapis from Greek akari (mite) + apis (bee); woodi honors Scottish bee researcher J. W. H. Wood.

Example

Beekeepers in temperate regions monitor Acarapis woodi using the thoracic trachea dissection technique: the main tracheal trunk is examined at 40–100× magnification for the presence of adult mites, eggs, or larval stages, with economic thresholds guiding treatment decisions.

Synonyms

• tracheal mite
• Isle of Wight mite

Related Terms

• acarine disease
• acarapisosis
• Tarsonemidae
• Apis mellifera
• tracheal mite
• varroosis
• honey bee pathology
• acarology

Usage Notes

Distinguished from external bee parasites such as Varroa destructor; the two mites require entirely different management protocols. The common name "tracheal mite" is sometimes applied loosely to other Acarapis species, but A. woodi is the primary economically significant species in Apis mellifera. Formerly known as "Isle of Wight disease" (the location of early outbreaks), now reserved for the pathological syndrome rather than the organism.