Taxonomy
Varroa destructor | Varroa mite
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Native status
Non-native
First reported in the wild
Uncertain
Invasiveness
Invasive species - risk of High Impact
Irish status
Established
Introduction pathways - 1
Transport Contaminant
Introduction pathways subclass - 1
Parasites on animals
Invasive score
18
NAPRA Ireland risk assessed
No
Species Biology
Identification
Relatively large mite, 1.1mm long x 1.5-1.6mm wide, generally attached to the first abdominal segment of the bee (Coffey, 2007). There are a variety of methods for measuring mite infestation in honeybee colonies.
Ecology
Untreated honeybee colonies will collapse within two years (Coffey, 2007).
Habitat
Miscellaneous
Reproduction
Reproduce exclusively in the brood cells of honey bees as the male mites cannot survive on adult bees (Donze et al., 1996). Females enter the brood cells of honey bees and emerge once the cells have been capped (Coffey, 2007), initially laying a single unfertilised egg that will produce the male that will fertilise all the subsequent females born (Coffey, 2007).
Pathway and vector description
As the original host was the Asian honeybee Apis cerana it was likely introduced to Ireland on imported bees. It was first detected in Europe in the 1970s with an estimated arrival date in Ireland of 1998 (Potts et al., 2010). It has since dispersed naturally throughout the country on infected bees (Coffey et al., 2011).
Mechanism of impact
Parasitism
Broad environment
Terrestrial
Habitat description
Ectoparasite on the honeybee Apis mellifera.
Species group
Invertebrate
Native region
Temperate Asia
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Irish distribution
Established - Widespread & Common. A 2006 study found that 72% of colonies in Ireland were infected with Varroa destructor (Coffey et al., 2011).
Native distribution
Native to Asia, where it is a parasite on the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana). Now introduced to all continents except Australia and Antarctica.
Temporal change
Date of first record category
Unknown
Fifty year date category
1951-2000
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
Report any sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
Further information
A 2007 report by Dr. Mary Coffey details the biology of Varroa destructor, as well as monitoring and eradication methods.
References
Publications
Coffey, M. F., Barth, S., Hayes, K., & Breen, J. (2013). The health status of Irish honeybee colonies in 2006. Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 39-51. Potts, S. G., Roberts, S. P., Dean, R., Marris, G., Brown, M. A., Jones, R., Neumann, P. & Settele, J. (2010). Declines of managed honey bees and beekeepers in Europe. Journal of Apicultural Research, 49(1), 15-22. Coffey, M. F. (2007). Parasites of the Honeybee. Report for Teagasc. Oak Park, Carlow