Reconsidering the classification of Varroa destructor feeding behavior: toward a concept of intrasomatic ectoparasitism

Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, 2000 is widely described as either phoretic or ectoparasitic; however, emerging evidence shows that the mite feeds primarily on honey bee fat body tissue through concealed intersegmental membranes rather than on hemolymph. This anatomically embedded yet externally attached feeding strategy is not fully captured by current terminology. This article proposes the term intrasomatic ectoparasitism to more precisely describe V. destructor’s feeding behavior during active parasitic phases. This refinement aligns terminology with empirical observations and improves conceptual clarity in research, monitoring interpretation, and treatment evaluation without redefining established life-cycle classifications.