Aaron here is the source of the Hawaii reports Hi everyone, Good Friday was not so good for beekeeping on Oahu Island , State of Hawaii. On April 6, 2007 the HDOA staff received a report from Dr. Michael Klicks (honey producer, Island of Oahu) of a potential infestation of the varroa mite on colonies he recently obtained from the Makiki Nature Center, Oahu Island. The hives were obtained on April 5, 2007 from the Makiki Nature Center at the Nature Center's (Oahu Island) request. The boxes were being damaged by termites and were brittle. On the afternoon of the 6th, Klicks examined one hive and discovered red mites >1mm in length. Dr. Klicks immediately contacted HDOA. Upon examination of a brood frame, adult mites were found and sampled. The mites were tentatively identified as Varroa destructor. Collections of bees were made from the three hives he obtained from Makiki Nature Center. Brood and samples of live and dead bees were taken for examination of varroa mite and screening for tracheal mites. The material was then taken to HDOA Quarantine Facility for examination. The dead bees were screened for varroa mites following standard alcohol shaking sampling procedures. The three hives were found to be heavily infested with Varroa mites. Screening for tracheal mites was initiated but not completed up to this hour. More details will be posted as we progress in the survey. Aloha, Mohsen _____________________________________________ Dr. Mohsen M. Ramadan Exploratory Entomologist State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry, Plant Pest Control Branch 1428 South King Street, Honolulu, HAWAII 96814 (USA) Tel: (808) 973 9526 Fax: (808) 973 9533 email: [log in to unmask] ****************************************************** * Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm * ******************************************************