Technical notes. Mites associated with honeybees in Queensland

Abstract

In Queensland, casual infestations of honeybees, Apis mellifera L., by mites, Pediculoides ventricosus Newp. (now known as Pyemotes ventricosus (Newp.)) and Hypoaspis sp. (now determined as belonging to the genus Neocypholaelaps), have been recorded (Veitch 1936, p. 93; Simmonds 1949, p. 42). Recently during routine quarantine examinations mites determined as Acarapis woodi (Rennie) were found externally on a worker honeybee in a queen bee consignment, from California, U.S.A. (Roff 1959). Following this, similar mites, stated to be Acarapis dorsalis or Acarapis woodi externus in the United States of America, have been located in various parts of North America. In Queensland, a quick survey has been made and Acarapis mites have been found on the thorax of worker honeybees from several Brisbane apiaries, and in several country areas extending from Warwick to Atherton. These widely spaced localities indicate that the mite must be of general distribution in the State.