Affected hosts
- Apis mellifera
- Apis dorsata
- Apis laboriosa
- Apis cerana
Infestation by Tropilaelaps spp.
Tropilaelaps
Brood parasitosis caused by mites of the genus Tropilaelaps. These mites reproduce in capped brood cells, feed on larval and pupal tissues, and can cause irregular brood, deformities, reduced bee longevity, and colony collapse. They represent a serious exotic threat to European beekeeping.
Agent
Tropilaelaps spp.
Notifiable in Portugal
Yes
Signs to watch for
Adult bees
- Bees with deformed wings
- Shortened abdomen or other deformities
- Bees unable to fly
- Reduced longevity
Brood
- Irregular or patchy brood
- Dead larvae and pupae
- Perforated or removed cappings
- Very mobile mites in brood cells
- Deformed pupae
Colony
- Rapid population decline
- Marked weakening
- Abandonment or colony collapse in severe infestations
Confirmation and identification
Field observation and monitoring
- Inspect capped brood and look for very mobile mites
- Uncap brood cells
- Bee-washing or mite-fall methods when included in an official protocol
- Use adhesive boards or diagnostic floors according to technical guidance
Laboratory methods
- Morphological identification by a specialist
- Microscopy
- Molecular methods to confirm and identify the species
Control and impact reduction
Good practices
- Do not move colonies, frames, bees, or equipment when there is a suspicion
- Isolate the event and contact the veterinary authority immediately
- Keep traceability of bee origins and movements
- Follow only the official contingency or eradication plan
Prevention
- Buy queens, nuclei, and colonies only from legal and traceable sources
- Comply with import and movement requirements
- Inspect received material
- Do not reuse beekeeping material from unknown sources
- Train beekeepers and technicians to distinguish Tropilaelaps from Varroa
- Participate in surveillance programs
Ongoing monitoring
Indicators
- Fast, elongated mites in brood
- Irregular brood
- Deformed bees
- Recent origin from a risk area
- Unexplained brood mortality
Recommended frequency
- Continuous surveillance for imports, movements, and at-risk apiaries, with immediate inspection whenever compatible signs are observed
Related content
References
Infestation of honey bees with Tropilaelaps spp.
WOAH | diagnosticStandard | en
Diseases of bees
WOAH | officialOverview | en
Scientific Opinion on the risk of entry of Aethina tumida and Tropilaelaps spp. into the EU
EFSA | scientificOpinion | en
Assessing the health status of managed honeybee colonies
EFSA | scientificOpinion | en
Insect pollinator health
Comissão Europeia | officialInformation | en