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]

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