Honey bee tracheal mite

Definition

A microscopic parasitic mite, Acarapis woodi (Acariformes: Tarsonemidae), that infests the respiratory tracheae of adult honey bees (Apis mellifera). Adult females and males live, feed, and reproduce within the thoracic airways, causing acarapisosis (formerly Isle of Wight disease), characterized by weakened flight, K-wings, and winter colony losses. Infestation is diagnosed by dissecting tracheae and observing mites or tracheal discoloration under magnification.

Etymology

From 'honey bee' (host), 'tracheal' (respiratory site of infestation), and 'mite' (arachnid parasite).

Example

Beekeepers monitor honey bee tracheal mite levels by removing the head and legs of a suspect bee and gently pulling the prothoracic tracheae to inspect for brown discoloration or visible mites at 40–100× magnification.

Synonyms

• Acarapis woodi
• acarine mite
• tracheal mite

Related Terms

• acarapisosis
• Varroa destructor
• Trachea
• acarology
• apiary hygiene
• K-wing

Usage Notes

The common name refers specifically to Acarapis woodi, not to other tracheal mites (e.g., Locustacarus buchneri in bumble bees). It is distinguished from the external parasitic mite Varroa destructor, which infests brood and adult bees but not tracheae. Formerly called 'Isle of Wight mite' or 'Isle of Wight disease mite' after the 1904 outbreak site; 'acarine disease' is now preferred for the pathology. Control relies on resistant bee stocks (e.g., Buckfast, Russian lines) or menthol/miticide treatments, not on the hygienic behaviors used against Varroa.