In a message dated 4/12/00 5:56:19 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:

<< The mite does not affect humans, and has no known host other than the
honey bee. >>

Inaccurate. The mite is also hosted on Apis cerana, from which at some point
it jumped species to the honey bee, Apis mellifera. I suppose "honey bee,"
broadly defined and in common usage, could include both species, but that's a
little too broad for me.

Questions:
Does New Zealand have a migratory beekeeping industry?

How does New Zealand's $1.8 million queen export business stand to be
affected by this discovery?

Doesn't Australia accept imported queens from New Zealand, and is anybody
taking another look now for possible infestation of varroa in Australia?

Does Hawaii accepted imported queens from New Zealand?