Tiny, light brown, active mites seen on both adult and larval worker bees. Currently not found in the U.S.
Tropilaelaps mites are native to tropical Asia and are currently not found outside of Asia. Tropilaelaps is not known to exist in the U.S. as of the end of 2023. There is heightened concern that it might be accidently introduced. A hive sampling program of USDA, APHIS currently includes annual surveys to confirm it is not present in the U.S.
Tropilaelaps mites live and reproduce inside bee brood cells. where they parasitize developing bees. Their breeding is rapid and described as superior to that of varroa mites, reaching full maturity in just six days, after which the mites emerge with the adult bee and search for new hosts. While they normally use the giant honey bee (Apis dorsata) as their host, Tropilaelaps mites easily transfer to western and other honey bee species.
Tropiolaelaps in the Bee Mite ID identification tool
varroa mites (but smaller and more active on brood)
Mortensen AN, et al. 2019 update. Tropilaelaps mite. Featured Creatures. Accessed 2023. https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/MISC/BEES/Tropilaelaps.htm
Chantawannakul P, et al. 2018. Tropilaelaps mite: an emerging threat to European honey bee. Current Opinion in Insect Science. 26: 69-75. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214574517300810
Ramsey SD. 2021 Foreign Pests as Potential Threats to North American Apicultureapiculture:
the science and art of cultivating bees to benefit humans
: Tropilaelaps mercedesae, Euvarroa spp, Vespa mandarinia, and Vespa velutina. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice 37(3): 545-558. https://www.vetfood.theclinics.com/article/S0749-0720(21)00053-0/fulltext
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