Honey-bee-pests
Guides
Mesostigmata
Mesostigs
Mesostigmata is the largest order of mites in the Parasitiformes, comprising over 8,000 species in 130 families. The group exhibits remarkable ecological diversity, including free-living predators in soil and litter, parasites of vertebrates and arthropods, fungus feeders, and pollen consumers. Many species serve as important biological control agents in agricultural systems, while others such as Varroa destructor are significant economic pests of honey bees. The order is distinguished morphologically by a single pair of lateral spiracles and associated peritrematal grooves.
Nitidulidae
sap beetles, sap-feeding beetles, picnic beetles
Nitidulidae is a family of small beetles commonly known as sap beetles or picnic beetles, with approximately 4,500 described species worldwide and 173 species in North America. Members exhibit highly variable feeding habits, ranging from sap-feeding to scavenging on carrion, fermenting fruits, fungi, and stored products. Several species are economically significant as agricultural pests, particularly in tree nut crops and honey bee colonies. The family has gained recent attention as vectors of the oak wilt pathogen (Bretziella fagacearum), with beetles transmitting fungal spores from infected to healthy oak trees. Some species have been successfully deployed in bioconversion systems to recycle agricultural waste.