Tropilaelaps is a genus of parasitic mites in the family Laelapidae.[1] Their range spans the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Pakistan. T. mercedesae has now established a foothold in Europe with verified reports in the Krasnodar region, Western Russia.[2] Their primary hosts are the larva of Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa, although after Apis mellifera was imported to Asia, they were found to also be suitable hosts for two species of Tropilaelaps, T. clareae and T. mercedesae.[3] Species can be identified by DNA analysis. They are considered a major economic threat to the beekeeping industry.[4]
Tropilaelaps are ectoparasites that reduce the lifespans of individual bees and reduce their overall health and wellbeing by depriving them of nutrients(5). Evidence of tropilaelaps presence in a hive might include deformed wings or legs on honey bees(5). The University of Maryland Honey Bee Lab is currently monitoring the spread of this parasite outside of its native range and into the United States.
