Abstract
Four honeybee species viz. Apis cerana indica F., A. mellifera L., A. dorsata F., and A. florea F. were examined for the presence of mites during a study conducted between 1991 and 1992. The investigation revealed the presence of Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans in A. cerana indica F. colonies. Tropilaelaps clareae Delfinado & Baker was found associated with A. mellifera, A. cerana indica, and A. dorsata colonies whereas Euvarroa sinhai Delfinado. & Baker occurred with A. florea only. The maximum infestation of mites was observed during March to May and August to September in all the honeybee species. Phoretic mites Neocypholaelaps indica Evans and stored product mites Tyrophagus longior (Gervais), Caloglyphus indica, and hypoi were also found in hives. Population dynamics of mites varied during different seasons as well as from one bee species to another. The study further revealed that bee mite interactions were species-specific.
