Survival of Ectoparasitic Mites Tropilaelaps mercedesae in Association with Honeybee Hive Products.

Kitiphong Khongphinitbunjong,Peter Neumann,Panuwan Chantawannakul,Orlando Yañez

doi:10.3390/insects10020036

Kitiphong Khongphinitbunjong, Peter Neumann + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10020036

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Abstract

The global trade of honeybee hive products imposes the risk of the introduction of exotic pests. However, data on the potential of specific products enabling pest survival are often lacking. This holds especially true for ectoparasitic mites Tropilaelaps spp., which are mandatory pests of honeybees in many countries. Here, we evaluated the longevity of Tropilaelaps mercedesae mites associated with empty honeycomb and dry pollen as two possible global import routes. Mites were able to survive up to three days in dry pollen and up to six days in empty honeycomb, thereby suggesting a sufficient time window for the potential introduction of T. mercedesae into mite-free countries via import of these hive products.

Highlights

The international trade of the honeybee hive products honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, bee venom, and beeswax can play a significant role in the spread of diseases or infectious agents [1], thereby creating demand for adequate action by the local and international authorities
The data clearly show that T. mercedesae mites were able to survive up to three days in dry pollen and up to six days in honeycomb, thereby suggesting that international transportation might enable the global spread of this mandatory pest
Honeycomb proved more suitable for mite survival, enabling a twice as long survival compared to dry pollen

Summary

Introduction

The international trade of the honeybee hive products honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, bee venom, and beeswax can play a significant role in the spread of diseases or infectious agents [1], thereby creating demand for adequate action by the local and international authorities. Even though the trade of beekeeping tools, package bees, queen cages, and bee colonies are the most likely route for the introduction of Tropilaelaps spp. into new areas [1], the import of bee products may pose a risk. Health (OIE) currently recommends restricting the trade and handling of honeybee products infested by Tropilaelaps spp. mites [3]. The importation by travelers of small amounts of products that may be untreated or treated with non-appropriated methods against mites almost certainly represents a high risk. Heat processed beeswax may be less of a concern for the introduction of some pests (but see small hive beetles, [4]), but unprocessed honeycomb may represent a higher risk. The importation of honeycomb containing bee brood is forbidden in many countries, honeycomb without bee brood may be allowed to enter a country in a terminal pass-check

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