First report of established mite populations, Tropilaelaps mercedesae, in Europe
Anna Brandorfa and collaborators 

https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2024.2343976



>ABSTRACT
Ectoparasitic mites Tropilaelaps spp. (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) can be devastating pests of
Western honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies, but have so far occurred only in Asia. Here,
we report for the first time on established populations in Europe. In 2021, high losses of
honey bee colonies occurred in the Krasnodar region, Western Russia (53%) with clinical
symptoms and mite morphology showing Tropilaelaps spp. infestations. We found that
brood infestations fluctuated seasonally, and mites were able to overwinter locally. The
specimens were identified as Tropilaelaps mercedesae using genetics. The source of pest
invasion is yet unidentified, but it is very likely that T. mercedesae will further spread west
and south. This calls for respective stakeholder action, especially in neighboring countries

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