The following brief discussion of Tropilaelaps is clipped from the 1996
   revision of the CAPA (Canadian Association of Professional
   Apiculturists) publication: Honey Bee Diseases and Pests. 25 pages, 22
   colour photos. The booklet covers bacterial and fungal diseases,
   viruses, protozoan diseases, parasitic mites, pests and predators,
   colony abnormalities and pesticide-pollinator interactions.
 
   It's available from Dr Cynthia Scott-Dupree
                        Dept of Environmental Biology
                        University of Guelph
                        Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
                        Canada
        Tel. 519 824 4120 ext 2477
        Fax. 519 837 0442
        email [log in to unmask]
 
   Cost $ 2.75 CDN or $ 2.50 US per copy (not including shipping)
   (income supports work of the association)
 
   PARASITIC MITES
   About 100 species of mites have been found in honey bee colonies in
   various parts of the world. Of these, the three species of most concern
   to beekeepers in Canada are: Varroa jacobsoni, Acarapis woodi and
   Tropilaelaps clareae. Varroa rinderi, Varroa underwoodi and Tropilaelaps
   koenigerum are not well known, and are still restricted to their native
   environments, but are likely similar to the species in the same genus.
 
   (Snip)
 
   Tropilaelaps clareae is a brood parasite of the giant or rock honey bee
   Apis dorsata in southeast Asia. This mite also infests colonies of A.
   mellifera and A. cerana, and has been found in many Asian countries
   including Afghanistan, China and the Philippines. It has not yet been
   detected in North America.
 
   Tropilaelaps mites are about half the size of female Varroa mites,
   somewhat rectangular to oval in shape, and light brown in colour.
   Detection techniques are similar to those described for varroa.
 
   Life Cycle
   The life cycle of this Asian mite is similar to that of Varroa, but a
   detailed description has yet to be published. In tropical areas,
   Tropilaelaps is at least as damaging as varroa to colonies of A.
   mellifera. Preliminary observations indicate that unlike varroa, it
   feeds on brood but not on adult bees. It is not expected to become as
   serious a pest to A. mellifera colonies in areas with a nearly broodless
   winter period.
 
   MITE CONTROLS
   (snip)
   (no specific reference to Tropilaelaps)