Each thread is organized with the latest dates first. Please be aware that information changes over time. That provided in earlier discussions may no longer be current; it is displayed as originally published. Furthermore, the author of APIS is not responsible for articles written by others that are linked here. The main intent is to provide historical perspective and a wider view of issues.

Those links not derived from the APIS page are marked with a not with a .

The tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi) was first introduced into Florida in 1984. Since then, it has spread throughout North America. The mite's history continues to be an enigma. Few good symptoms are associated with mite infestation. Colonies may often collapse for no apparent reason. Then tracheal mites are implicated. It is difficult to study the organism because bees must be killed and dissected to determine its presence.

The history of the mite is also somewhat of an enigma. Originally the mite was associated with a condition called "Isle of Wight Disease." It killed almost all beehives on this island around the turn of the century and tracheal mites were implicated, though proof that the mites actually caused the problem was never thoroughly established.

In most places where tracheal mites are found for a period, they loose their virulence, presumably due to the fact that susceptible colonies die and more resistant ones replace them (Europe, Mexico, Florida perhaps?). After a while the presence of these mites becomes a given and like many other problems, periodically can become epidemic. They also can vector viruses and thus be indirectly responsible for bee loss. The term Parasitic Mite Syndrome has been coined for this situation.

Beekeepers continue to be concerned about the mites' effects especially in colder climates where they add one more stress factor in the overwintering process. Menthol crystals and vegetable oil patties appear to provide relief from tracheal mites at the current time.

More on essential oils research, November 2000.

Queens and selecting tracheal mite-resistant stock, June 2000.

International bee meeting on AHB and mites in Tucson, AZ, May 2000.

Apicure® based on formic acid becomes labeled for mites, February 2000.

Discussion of beekeepers adopting grease patty technology for tracheal mite control, December 1995.

A discussion of Parasitic Mite Syndrome. This implicates both tracheal and Varroa mites, December 1994.

Account of a trip to the British Isles, tracheal mites and viruses, November 1994.

Vegetable oil and tracheal mite control, Journal of Economic Entomology, October 1994.

A sequential sampling plan for tracheal mites, May 1993.

Discusses some history of tracheal mites in Mexico and British Isles. Focus on resistant stock, April 1993.

Mite discussions held at Entomological Society of America, March 1993.

Tracheal mites in a standarized management plan, February 1993.

Resistant stock in mite management, January 1993.

Discussion of alternate disease treatments, January 1993.

Tracheal mite continues to be an enigma, August 1981.

Using oils for tracheal mite control, May 1990.

Comments on using menthol in hives for tracheal mites, November 1989.

Analysis of tracheal mites in California; focus on wintering, April 1989.

Why a commercial diagnosticslaboratory might be preferred to detect tracheal mites, February 1989.

Literature review on menthol and use for tracheal mites, November 1988.

Essay on experimentation in honey bees, focus is on tracheal mites, May 1985.

Tracheal mite quarantine lifted in Florida (Historical only), January 1985.

Acarine mite detected in United States, September 1984.

Return to top of page

© 1997, M.T. Sanford, "All Rights Reserved"