Effects of Acarapis woodi on Overwintered Colonies of Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in New York

Colonies of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., infested with Acarapis woodi (Rennie) were studied during the four winters of 1985-1989 in New York state. Samples of bees were obtained from colonies on several dates from fall to spring to determine mite prevalence and mite load scores. Mite infestations were much heavier than those reported elsewhere in North America. Over the two winters for which adequate data were available (1987-1988 and 1988-1989), colonies with heavy mite infestations had significantly greater mortality. Spring brood areas were negatively correlated with mite prevalence and mite load scores. However, the strength of these correlations varied depending on the month and the year. These results indicate that tracheal mites have a substantial negative effect on colonies of honey bees in New York.