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QUARTERLY REPORTS
Bee Culture Research Investigations
Madison, Wisconsin
Period: Jan 1 - Mar 31, 1960 ENT c10-1(C)
Biology of diseases and pests of honey bees and development of
control methods.
Mite Survey - Late March.
A sample of 25 live bees from each of 50 colonies was shaken
in about 15 cc. of 1:10,000 Triton X-100 solution in a shell
vial. About 10 cc. were pipetted from the bottom and examined
in a petri plate at 20X. Mites were observed in 40 of the 50
samples. When the 10 colonies from which no mites had been found
on the first sampling were resampled, 9 had mites. The colony
that exhibited no mites on the first two samples had mites on
the third sampling. As many as 10 adult mites were found in one
sample, although 47 of the samples had 4 or less. It is evident
that external mites, Acarapis sp. infest all or almost all the
colonies at the Madison laboratory. A sample was sent to Beltsville
for identification - reported spade shape coxal plates. Live
bees were sent for studies on focal point of infestation and
further study for species identity.
----
Bee Culture Research Investigations
Madison, Wisconsin
Period: Apr 1 - Jun 30, 1960 with Quarterly Progress Report now
labeled Administratively Confidential. ENT c10-1(C)
Biology of diseases and pests of honey bees and development of
control methods.
Mite Infestation. (Acarapis spp.)
Fifty colonies were sampled during late March and five during
early May. A sample of 25 live bees from each colony was shaken
in about 15 cc's of 1:10000 Triton X-100 solution in a shell
vial. About 10 cc's were pipetted from the bottom and examined
in a petri plate at 20X. As shown in table 1, mites were observed
in 40 of the 50 samples taken in late March. When the 10 colonies
from which no mites were found on, the first sampling were resampled,
9 had mites. The colony that exhibited no mites on the first
two samplings had mites on the third sampling. As many as 10
adult mites were found in one sample, although 47 of the samples
had 4 or less. The 5 colonies sampled in early May all had mites,
although 3 was the maximum number of adults found in a sample.
It is evident that external mites Acarapis spp. infest all or
almost all of the colonies at the Madison laboratory. A sample
was sent to Beltsville for focal point of attack and identification.
External mites were found in all samples having the truncated
coxal plate. They were found on the wing bases, a position usually
associated with Acarapis Vagans. The most common external mite
thus far found has been A. dorsalis, showing a deep cleft in
the coxal plate. This mite is usually located in the scutellar
groove. Colonies will be sampled again during August to determine
the incidence of infestation at that time.
ABSTRACT: A 1959 report that
bees from California infested with Acarapis woodi had been intercepted
in California, which was later proved to be in error, has stimulated
an intensive search for the acarine disease causing mite and
other mites. An external mite tentatively identified as A. vagans
has been found infesting bees of all colonies (50) examined at
the Madison laboratory. This mite has been reported from a few
other locations but appears to be less common than A. dorsalis.
Separation of species is based on point of infestation and shape
of the mite's posterior coxal plate.
Progress Report Under Cooperative
Agreement # 12-14-100-2362(33) between University of Wisconsin
Agricultural Experiment Station and Entomology Research Division,
ARS, USDA
Period: Oct 1, 1959 - Jun 30, 1960
These studies are concerned with: #9. Evaluation of the incidence
of external mite (Acarapis spp.) infestation of bees in the University
colonies. ABSTRACT: A 1959 report that bees from California infested
with Acarapis woodi had been intercepted in California, which
was later proved to be in error, has stimulated an intensive
search for the acarine disease causing mite and other mites.
An external mite tentatively identified as A. vagans has been
found infesting bees of all colonies (50) examined at the Madison
laboratory. This mite has been reported from a few other locations
but appears to be less common than A. dorsalis. Separation of
species is based on point of infestation and shape of the mite's
posterior coxal plate.
----
Bee Culture Research Investigations
Laramie, Wyo.
Period: Jan 1 - Mar 31, 1961 with Quarterly Progress Report labeled
Administratively Confidential.
Work Project ENT c10, Line Project Ent c10-1
Biology of diseases and pests of honey bees and development of
control methods, #3. External mites on honey bees, Table 7 External
Mites on honey bees at Laramie Page 10, Table 8 Sexes or developmental
stages of Acarapis dorsalis mites found at Laramie Page 11.
ABSTRACT:
Page #1, Acarapis dorsalis mites were found on about 3% of all
sample bees examined, from our Laramie colonies in February and
March. At least 58% of our colonies and all of our apiaries have
these external mites. Eggs, larvae, and both male and female
adults were found in the dorsal scutellar groove of the thorax
of the honey bee. Their identity was also confirmed from cleared
microscopic mounts of adult females, which disclosed the deeply
cleft hind coxal plate characteristic of this species. All the
same bees were examined for neck mites: A. externus, also, but
none was found. This appears to be the first record of external
mites on honey bees in Wyoming, but Mr. Revell's notes indicate
some were seen at this laboratory in 1944, and by Dr. Burnside
at Beltsville, Maryland in 1941. Also, he recalls seeing some
at Ames, Iowa in 1917 from honey bees.
3. External mites on honey
bees. Page #9, Acarine mites have been found in the dorsal scutellar
groove on the thorax of adult worker honey bees from many of
our colonies here in Laramie. A few of the adult female mites
have been mounted in a polyvinyl alcohol + lactic acid + phenol
mounting medium, and a few have been mounted in Hoyer's solution.
These media clear at least some of the specimens satisfactorily
so as to disclose the coxal plate. In our specimens this is deeply
cleft, characteristic of Acarapis dorsalis. Morgenthaler (1934),
as recently determined by E. W. Baker of the U.S. National Museum
(See Beltsville 4th Qtly. Rpt. 1959: pp. 7-7b). This appears
to be their first record in Wyoming (But see below). This breeding
place of external mites was first discovered in England by Morison
(1931) Bee World 12(4): 40-42 (April) and 12(10): 110-111 (Oct)
Table 7 summarizes a survey
made of all our colonies in February and again in March, 1961,
for external mites, both in the scutellar groove and in the ventral
neck region. No mites were found in the latter region which is
the typical breeding place of A externus Morgenthaler (1927),
originally observed there by Homann in Germany (1933): Zeitschr.
f. Parasitenk 6(3): 350-415. It may be noted that about 3% of
all bees examined were found infested with the dorsal back mite,
A. dorsalis. A surprising 58% of our colonies were infested with
this mite, and since most samples obtained in February contained
not more than 20 bees per colony, and in March not more than
30 bees per colony, it is probable that even a larger percentage
of our colonies are infested. All six of our apiaries are infested
with this external mite.
Page #12, Table 8 summarizes the sexes and developmental stages
of Acarapis dorsalis found during the above survey. It may be
noted that eggs, larvae, and both male and female adults were
found. Eggs were most abundant, and bees infested with eggs only
were found more frequently than bees infested with any other
stage or combination of stages. Two mite eggs on one bee were
common. Three of the four adult male mites found were with an
adult female on the same bee. All mites were found by examining
individual bees under a dissecting microscope. They were then
transferred with a teasing needle to a drop of glycerine on a
microscope slide, and their identity confirmed under a binocular
microscope at a magnification of 150X. It is surprising that
the eggs are nearly as large as the adults.
A few measurements showed the eggs averaged about 130 x 65 microns.
Morgenthaler (1932) Zeitschr. f. angew. Ent. 19(3): 449-489,
found adult female A woodi (Rennie) (1921), mites varied 106-180
x 65-85 microns, and external mites are indistinguishable by
size from it. The eggs are a shiny white, and show up more distinctly
than the slightly yellowish adults. The eggs adhere firmly to
the tiny branched hairs in the scutellar groove of the bee, and
in removing the eggs one nearly always breaks off the tips of
these bee hairs also. The larvae cling to these hairs tenaciously,
so that one usually finds tiny branched hairs next to the larvae
also. The reliability of any washing technique for discovering
external mites on honey bees needs further investigation. A survey
of 3900 bees from 48 Italian and 12 Caucasian colonies in Laramie
was made in February and March 1950, using Morgenthaler,s method
of washing 50 or 100 bees in Oudeman's fluid, filtering the supernatant
through filter paper, and examining the sediment left on the
paper for external mites under a microscope. No external mites
were found then (Laramie's 1st Qtly. Rpt. 1950:17-18).
Similarly, no mites were found in 1000 sample bees from 10 Laramie
colonies examined by a mass washing technique at Beltsville in
May 1959 (Beltsville 2nd Qtly. Rpt. 1959: p. 6). It seems doubtful
that any washing technique would wash off any mite eggs which
adhere so firmly to the branched hairs of the bees, unless it
were allowed to act a long time and was capable of dissolving
the adhesive material. Dr. J. E. Eckert of Davis, California,
made the verbal statement at the January 1961 Omaha meetings
of the American Beekeeping Federation, that the "neck"
mite, Acarapis externus, is found in a very "sticky secretion"
in the ventral neck region of the bee. Therefore, even the adults
of this species probably would be difficult to wash off their
host. Dr. Eckert stated that the few mites he had found on the
wings or on the fore part of the abdomen of honey bees had this
same sticky secretion, so that he suspects that the so-called
A. vagans Schneider (1941) reported from these breeding sites
may simply be A. externus colonies resulting from a gravid female
having to start egg-laying in these other locations before she
was able to migrate to the neck region. Any washing technique
also has the disadvantage of requiring identification by microscopic
examination of cleared specimens of adult females in order to
identify the species, or determine its probable breeding place.
The wings and fore-abdomen were first found to be breeding places
of external mites by Orosi-Pal in Hungary: Zeitschr. f. Parasitenk.
7(2): 233-267 (1934), and: Deutsch. Inkerfuh. 9(12): 398-400
(1935). Males and immature stages of these four Acarapis species
cannot be differentiated morphologically. Morgenthaler (1928,
1932, and 1934) had found biometrical averages of the adult female
only could be used to distinguish A. externus by its long hind
tarsal segments, and A woodi by the shorter distance between
the inner margins of its spiracles.
Page #13, We can find no mention, even in Laramie's Quarterly
Reports, of external mites having been found on honey bees in
Laramie or Wyoming before. However, Mr. Irven Revell has kept
some typewritten notes he made which show that some external
mites were found at this laboratory in December 1944. Samples
of 50 bees per colony collected from our Collegian Dairy apiary
on Dec. 8, 1944, were examined by brushing the top of the head
and thorax and the underside of the wings of individual bees
with a fine brush while being held over a smooth bond paper,
and inspecting the debris falling on the paper, under high-dry
magnification (645x) of a binocular microscope.
Eggs and adults were also seen on individual bees (under a dissecting
microscope?) by Dr. Burnside and Dr. Sturtevant, but their location
on the bee was not recorded. Four of the twelve colonies at this
apiary were found to have external mites. About 3% of the bees
examined were infested at that time. Burnside and Revell also
found external mites on bees of three of the nine colonies at
the Fish Hatchery apiary, examined December 16, 1944. As one
mite was found under a mandible and others were found on the
underside of the wings close to the base, it seems probable that
these were not A. dorslalis, but probably were one of the other
external species. It is not recorded how many bees from this
apiary were examined for external mites, but 34 to 50 live bees
per colony were examined for Nosema at the same time, so it is
presumed that these same bees were examined for mites also.
Since package bees were purchased annually at Laramie, it was
supposed by them that these external mites were imported with
package bees from the South. Mr. Revell,s notes also state that
Dr. Burnside had found similar external mites on honey bees at
Beltsville "in the fall of 1941." Apparently this was
not recorded in the Beltsville Quarterly Reports. This seems
surprising, since external mites on honey bees in the United
States had never previously been recorded by American investigators.
Morgenthaler in Switzerland first reported finding external mites
on honey bees from North America (Canada) in 1926: Schweiz. Bienenztg.
49(5): 220-224. Brugger in Switzerland first reported finding
external mites on honey bees from the United States in 1930 (in
a sample from Geneva, New York: Arch. f. Bienenkunde 17(4/5):
113-142 (1936).
In August 1959 Australian authorities notified the California
State Apiary Inspector that California bees shipped to Australia
had been found infested with Acarapis woodi mites. As this is
the internal species that infects the thoracic tracheae of honey
bees, causing Acarine disease, which is common in Europe, has
never been known in North America, this caused a serious scare.
Fortunately, the mites proved to be the external species (or
subspecies): Foote, H. L. Amer. Bee Jour. 99(10):415 (Oct 1959);
Anonymous, Amer. Bee Jour. 99(12): 490 (Dec. 1959). A dorsalis
has since been found on other California bees: Harper, R. W.
Coop. Econ. Insect Rpt. 9(44): 968 (Oct. 30, 1959). A. externus
also has been found here: Eckert, J.E. and Shaw, F.R. (1960)
"Beekeeping": p. 375., Macmillan, N.Y.
Surveys of bees from many states by A.S. Michael at Maryland
have shown external mites present in most of the southern states
and in several other scattered states also (Beltsville 3rd Quarterly
Report for 1959 and subsequent Reports) e. g. from: Louisiana,
California, Utah, Maryland, Florida, Georgia, West Virginia,
Mississippi, and Tennessee.
Page #14, Incidentally, Dr Echert found A. dorsalis mites on
Nebraska bees, during his demonstration of examining individual
bees for mites, at the Omaha (1961) beekeepers, meeting. Therefore
states adjacent to Wyoming, both on the east and west, also have
external mites on honey bees. One of our Campus colonies previously
found infested with Acarapis dorsalis mites was moved on February
23, 1961 into a greenhouse to pollinate some special alfalfa
plants of the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station agronomists.
In order to determine whether the warm greenhouse temperature
influenced the external mites on the bees of this colony, samples
of 100 bees each were examined on three subsequent dates: Feb.
28, March 13, and March 24, or 5, 18, and 29 days after moving
the colony, respectively. Mite eggs only were found on 3% of
the bees examined February 28th; no mites of any stage were found
at the two later inspections.
Mr. Revell states that in the spring of 1917 when he was a student
at Ames, Iowa, his zoology professor demonstrated the method
of brushing bees, bodies to look for external mites, and that
some microscopic mites were found on honey bees then. This precedes
the European investigation of external mites, such as those of
Morgenthaler and his associates in Switzerland, and even the
British investigations of Rennie and his associates on the internal
Acarapis woodi of honey bees, both in the early 1920's. We wonder
if such early records of finding external mites on honey bees
in the United States were ever published. Manuscript published:
Hitchcock, J.D. A bee mite (Acarapis dorsalis) -- Wyoming. Coop.
Econ. Insect Report 11(11): 157 (3/17/61).
----
Bee Culture Investigations, Laramie, Wyo.
Period: Apr 1 - Jun 30, 1961 with Quarterly Progress Report labeled
Administratively Confidential.
Work Project ENT c10, Line Project ENT c10-1: Biology of diseases
and pests of honey bees and development of control methods, 4.
External mites, Table 4. External Mites Found on Individual Bees
at Laramie, Wyo. : 2nd Quarter 1961, Page 9; Table 5. Numbers
of Bees Infested with Different Stages of External Mites, Page
10.
ABSTRACT:
Page #1, Acarapis dorsalis mites were found in the dorsal groove
on the thorax of about 3% of the bees and in about 60% of the
colonies over wintered at Laramie. Acarapis dorsalis mites were
found on about 8% of the bees in 100% of packages received from
Louisiana. The same bees were infested with Acarapis vagans on
their wings. About 2% of the bees and 40% of the packages were
infested with these wing mites. Thoracic mites were also present
on about 7% of the bees in 68% of packages received from Georgia.
The same bees were infested in their neck region with Acarapis
externus. about 1% of the bees and 20% of the packages were infested
with neck mites.
Page #6, 4. External Mites.,
The first observation of external mites on honey bees in Wyoming
was reported in the Laramie 1st Quarterly Report for 1961: pages
9-14, including Tables 7 and 8. These were the "Back"
mites: Acarapis dorsalis, living in the dorsal scutellar groove
on the thorax of the bee. About 60% of the colonies, and about
3% of the bees sampled were found infested. Our bees were also
examined for "Neck" mites: Acarapis externus, known
to live in the neck region of the bee, but none were found.
Page #8, Another sampling of
bees from all our apiaries was made in April, 1961, for the dorsal
"Back" mites only. Results are summarized in Table
4. All apiaries were infested, showing 20 to 60% of the colonies
in different apiaries infested: average 44% of all colonies.
From 1.1 to 4.7% of the bees sampled from different apiaries
were infested: average 2.9%. This is about the same percentage
of bees infested as during the previous two months. Among package
bees received from Mitchell's apiaries of Bunkie, Louisiana,
sampled in May, we observed both "Back" and "Wing"
mites: Acarapis dorsalis and Acarapis vagans: see Table 4.
The "Wing" mites occurred both on the upper side of
the hind wings and the lower side of the front wings. Three individual
bees were found infested with both "Back" and "Wing"
mites. "Back" mites were found on 8.4% of the bees
and in 100% of the packages. "Wing" mites were found
on 2.1% of the bees and in 40% of the packages. these bees were
examined for "Neck" mites also, but none were found.
Among package bees received from Rossman's apiaries of Moultrie,
Georgia, sampled in June, we observed both "Back" and
"Neck" mites: Acarapis dorsalis and Acarapis externus:
see Table 4. "Back" mites were found on 7.2% of the
bees and in 68% of the packages. "Neck" mites were
found on 1.4% of the bees and in 20% of the packages. Once an
individual bee was found infested with both "Back"
and "Neck" mites. These bees were examined for "Wing"
mites also, but none were found.
The "Back" mites observed on Louisiana package bees
included 64 eggs on 37 bees, 42 immature stages on 34 bees, 26
adult females on 25 bees, and 6 adult males on 6 bees. The "Back"
mites observed on Georgia package bees included 45 eggs on 23
bees, 22 immature stages on 16 bees, 24 adult females on 20 bees,
and 3 adult males on 3 bees. As many as 5 eggs were found in
the dorsal groove of a single bee. As many as 4 immature stages
were found in the dorsal groove of a single bee. As many a 3
female mites were found on a single bee. Of the 9 males observed
in the dorsal groove of both groups of package bees, 6 occurred
on bees found to have a female mite in the dorsal groove also.
The "Wing" mites observed on Louisiana package bees
included 30 eggs on 16 bees, 9 immature stages on 5 bees, and
3 adult females on 3 bees. As many as 3 eggs or 3 immature stages
were found on the wings of a single bee. Of the 19 infested bees,
8 had mites on both the front and hind wing (on the same side),
7 bees had only a hind wing infested, and 4 had only a front
wing infested. "Wing" mites were found on the right
wings of 12 bees and on the left wings of 7 bees. The "Neck"
mites observed on Georgia package bees included 12 eggs on 5
bees, 12 immature stages on 6 bees, 4 adult females on 4 bees,
and 1 adult male on 1 bee. As many as 3 eggs, or 3 immature stages
were found on a single bee. Table 5 summarizes the numbers of
bees infested with different stages of these external mites:
eggs, immature, and adults. Most individual bees, 68%, were infested
with only a single stage of external mites. These included eggs
only: 28%, immature stages only: 25%, and adult mites only: 15%,
of the infested bees. however, 30% of the infested bees were
infested with two stages of mites, and 2% of the infested bees
were infested with all three stages of the mites.
----
Bee Disease Investigations, Laramie, Wyo.
Period: Oct 1 - Dec 31, 1961 with Quarterly Progress Report labeled
Administratively Confidential.
Work Project ENT c10, Line Project ENT c10-1: Biology of diseases
and pests of honey bees and development of control methods, 4.
Esternal Acarapis mites, Table 2., Survey of external mites on
adult worker honey bees at Laramie: December 1961: Summary, pages
4-5. Page #4, 4. External Acarapis mites. A survey was made of
sample bees from all our colonies for external mites. Usually
30 bees were examined from each colony. The back (dorsal groove
and adjacent areas of the thorax), underside of the neck, and
the wing bases--both right and left sides, of each bee were examined
with a dissecting microscope for the presence of external mites,
in various stages of development.
Results are summarized, by apiaries, in Table 2. All apiaries
were infested; on the average, 46% of the colonies, and 1.6%
of the bees sampled, were infested with external mites. All stages
of development: eggs, immature, and adults, were found. External
mites of all three species found in package bees at Laramie last
spring (2nd Quarterly Report 1961: page 8, and Tables 4 = 5),
were still present on the bees in December. These include the
back mite: Acarapis dorsalis, the neck mite: Acarapis externus,
and the wing mite: Acarapis vagans. These are believed to be
the first reports of their occurrence in Wyoming.
----
Bee Disease Investigations, Laramie, Wyo.
Period: Apr 1 - Jun 30, 1962 with Quarterly Progress Report labeled
Administratively Confidential. Work Project ENT c10, Line Project
ENT c10-1: Biology of diseases and pests of honey bees and development
of control methods, 7. Paralysis, page 10, 8. External Mites,
page 11.
ABSTRACT:
About 2% of package bees received from Louisiana were infested
with external mites. Eggs, immature, and adult mites were found
of both the back mite, Acarapis dorsalis, and the wing mite,
A. vagans. Page #11, 8. External Mites. Samples of 30 bees were
examined from each of 12 queenless packages received from Louisiana,
for external Acarapis mites. The back mite, A. dorsalis, was
found on 4 individual bees, and the wing mite, A. vagans was
found on 4 other individual bees. The neck mite, A. externus
was not found. Thus, about 2% of the bees were infested with
external mites. All stages: eggs, immature, and adult; and both
sexes: male and female, of the mites were seen. They are considered
of no economic importance.
----
Bee Disease Investigations, Laramie, Wyo.
Period: Jan 1 - Mar 31, 1965 with Quarterly Progress Report labeled
Administratively Confidential.
Work Project ENT c10, Line Project No. and Title: ENT c10-1(c),
Biology of bee diseases and development of control methods for
diseases and pests., 6. External Mites: On honey bees from California
and Wyoming, Page 6.
ABSTRACT:
External mites: Acarapis dorsalis and Acarapis vagans were found
on the back or wings, respectively, of a small percentage of
honey bees from Fresno, California, and Laramie, Wyoming. No
neck mites were found. Page #6. 6. External mites: On honey bees
from California and Wyoming. Sample bees from all 6 packages
from dwindling colonies received from Fresno, California, in
mid-February were examined for external mites. "Back mites":
Acarapis dorsalis, were found in the dorsal groove of 3 out of
30 bees examined from package #5, and also "Wing Mites":
A. vagans, (eggs and larvae only), from 2 other bees of the same
sample, and also from 2 bees out of 30 examined from Package
#4. No "Neck mites": A. externus, were found. An additional
189 bees from Package #5 were then examined individually for
external mites and 2 bees were found with back mites, plus 7
with wing mites. Thus a total of 14 bees out of 219 examined,
or only about 6%, were infested with external mites. Samples
of 30 bees per colony were also examined March 16, 1965, for
external mites from all 13 colonies in our Canal apiary at Laramie.
Again, wing or back mites were found on 1 to 3 bees per sample
in 5 of the colonies, and 1 adult mite with 1 egg, presumably
A. vagans, was also found on the base of the abdomen of a single
bee. No neck mites were found.
----
Bee Disease Investigations, Laramie, Wyo.
Period: Oct 1 - Dec 31, 1969 with Quarterly Progress Report labeled
For Official Use Only, with following: This progress report includes
tentative results of research not sufficiently complete to justify
general release. Such findings, when adequately confirmed, will
be released promptly through established channels. Therefore,
this report is not intended for publication and should not be
referred to in literature citations. Work Unit/Project No. 00
ENT C1005 5301 00. bee Disease Control, External mites on honey
bees, page 6.
ABSTRACT:
Acarapis dorsalis mites were found breeding in the dorsal scutellar
groove on the thorax of adult worker honey bees sampled in December
from an apiary established last spring with package bees from
California. The same apiary also had bees infested with immature
stages of a similar mite, presumably Acarapis vagans, breeding
on the wings or on the front part of the abdomen. All bees were
individually examined under a dissecting microscope, also for
Acarapis externus, known to breed in the ventral neck region,
but none was found. Twelve of 22 colonies in this apiary were
found infested with external mites. These included 3 colonies
infested with the "back" mite, 2 infested with the
"wing and abdomen" mite , and 3 infested with both
species. Another apiary of 23 colonies, previously over wintered
in Laramie, also sampled in December, was found to be free of
infestation by external mites.
Page #6. External mites on honey bees (Hitchcock). External mites
of presumably 2 species were found among sample honey bees collected
in mid-December from colonies established last spring in Laramie,
Wyoming, with package bees imported from central California.
thirty bees were examined individually under a dissecting microscope
from each of 22 colonies. Each bee was examined for adult mites,
or their eggs or immature stages, on 8 possible breeding sites:
1. Dorsal scutellar groove of the thorax, 2. Under side of left
fore wing, 3. Upper side of left hind wing, 4. Under side of
right fore wing, 5. Upper side of right hind wing, 6. Anterior-dorsal
broad surface of the apparent 1st (true 2nd) abdominal segment,
7. Ventral neck or cervix, 8. Feste of the proboscis (or groove
into which tongue is folded back). Ten of the colonies were negative
for mites, but the other 12 colonies had from 1 to 3 bees infested
with external mites, out of the 30 bees examined from each colony.
A total of 29 bees had eggs, immature, or adult mites in the
scutellar groove on the thorax: undoubtedly the "back"
mite: Acarapis dorsalis. eggs or immature mites were found on
the wings of 3 bees and on the abdomen of 3 bees. These are presumed
to be the "wing and abdomen" mites: Acarapis vagans,
but unfortunately no adult mites were found on those breeding
sites at this time of the year. All the bees wee also examined
in the neck regions for the "neck" mites: Acarapis
externus, but none were found. 5 colonies had bees infested with
the "back" mites, 2 colonies had bees infested with
the "wing and abdomen" mites, and 5 colonies had mixed
infestations with both these mites. Even one individual bee had
a mixed infestation of mite eggs: both in the scutellar groove
on the thorax and on the under side of its left fore wing. External
mites were found about 11% of the bees examined from the infested
colonies, and on about 6% of all bees examined from this package
apiary. No external mites were found on honey bees sampled from
23 colonies, previously over wintered in Laramie, from 1 other
apiary, sampled in early December.
----
Bee Disease Investigations, Laramie, Wyoming.
Period: Jan 1 - Mar 31, 1970 with Quarterly Progress Report labeled
For Official Use Only, with following: This progress report includes
tentative results of research not sufficiently complete to justify
general release. Such findings, when adequately confirmed, will
be released promptly through established channels. Therefore,
this report is not intended for publication and should not be
referred to in literature citation. Work Unit/Project No. 00
ENT C1005 5301 00 Bee Disease Control, External Mites on Honey
Bees (Hitchcock), page 8, Table 6. External Mites on Honey Bees
in Over wintering Colonies at Laramie, Wyoming, page 9; Table
7. Distribution of External Mites in Different Breeding Sites
in individual Colonies, page 9; Table 8. Distribution of External
Mites in Different Breeding Sites on individual Bees, page 10;
Table 9. External mites found in the scutellar groove on the
thorax of honey bees (Sagebrush apiary): Distribution and frequency
of developmental stages, page 10; Table 10. External mites found
on the wings of honey bees (Sagebrush apiary): Distribution and
frequency of developmental stages, page 11; Table 11. External
mites found on the abdomen of honey bees (Sagebrush apiary):
Distribution and Frequency of developmental stages, page 11.
ABSTRACT:
External Acarapis mites were found on honey bees in 62% of our
colonies, and in 7 out of 8 of our apiaries. In the infested
colonies, about 10 percent of the bees were infested. The mites
are of at least two species: Acarapis dorsalis breeding in the
scutellar groove near the posterior dorsal part of the thorax,
and A. vagans breeding on the wings or on the front portion of
the abdomen. All bees were also examined under the neck for A.
externus, known to breed there, but none was found. Many colonies
(37%) had multiple mite infestations on the thorax, wings, and
abdomen. Individual bees were infested most frequently on the
thorax (40%), and least frequently on the abdomen (13%).
The average numbers of mites of all developmental stages occurring
on individual bees were about 1 1/2 on the wings, 2 on the thorax,
and 3 1/3 on the abdomen. The maximum number observed was 2 adults
+ 4 eggs + 11 immature equals 17 mites on the abdomen of a single
bee. It is interesting that the severely nosema diseased colony
also had an exceptionally high percentage (60%) of its bees infested
with external mites Acarapis spp. on its thorax, wings, and abdomen.
This severely nosema diseased colony died within 3 weeks after
sampling, and the equipment was removed from the apiary.
Page #8, Esternal Mites on Honey Bees. (Hitchcock). A survey
was made for external mites on honey bees in over wintering colonies
in all our apiaries at Laramie, Wyoming. A sample of 30 bees
from each colony was obtained, and the bees were examined individually
under a dissecting microscope, on 8 possible breeding sites (Laramie
4th Qtly. Rpt. 1969, p.6). The data are summarized in Table 6.
External mites were found in 81 of 131 colonies (62%), in 7 of
8 apiaries. Mites were found on about 10% of the bees in the
infested colonies of all apiaries. However, the average infestation
was as high as 15% in one (Harnden) apiary, where one very weak
colony had a high mite infestation (60%), and also very severe
(93%) nosema disease. Perhaps such internally parasitized bees
do not have the strength to attempt to brush off external parasites.
The mites were apparently of two species: Acarapis dorsalis,
which breeds in the scutellar groove on the thorax, and A. vagans,
which breeds on the wings and abdomen. All bees were examined
under the neck also, for A. externus which is known to breed
there, but none was found.
The distribution of mites in different breeding sites on the
bees in different colonies is summarized in Table 7. This shows
that colonies most frequently had bees infested on the thorax,
and least frequently infested on the abdomen. Multiple infestations
of more than one breeding site were very common, occurring in
37% of the infested colonies. The distribution of mites in different
breeding sites on individual bees is summarized in Table 8. About
40% had mites on the thorax only, 35% had mites on the wings
only, 13% had mites on the abdomen only, and about 10% had multiple
infestations of more than one breeding site. Infestations of
the wings and abdomen, on the same individual bees were more
frequent (about 75), then infestations of either the thorax and
wings or the thorax and abdomen (1.6 each). This may be another
indication that the mites breeding on the wings and abdomen are
the same species.
Page #12, It was observed that
the mites on the wings always occurred on the under side of the
front wings or the upper side of the hind wings. When the wings
are folded over the bee's abdomen, as normally occurs when inside
the cluster of bees within the hive, the mites would be between
the front and hind wings, and thus would be protected from getting
rubbed off by other bees. Mites on the abdomen occurred on the
front vertical portion, normally held close to the back of the
thorax. Thus they were between these two main body segments,
and again were protected from rubbing against other bees of the
cluster. Mites on the thorax breed in the comparatively deep
scutellar groove near the posterior portion of the top of the
thorax, in which groove they cannot be rubbed off by contact
with other bees.
Tables 9, 10, and 11 summarize the numbers of each development
stage of mite, found on individual bees, on each of the 3 breeding
sites: thorax, wings, and abdomen, for the bees from our largest
(Sagebrush ) apiary. The average number of mites of all stages
(eggs, immature, and adults) on a single honey bee was about
1 1/2 on the wings, 2 on the thorax, and 3 1/3 on the abdomen.
The maximum number of mites on all stages on a single bee was
4 on the thorax, 4 on the wings, and 8 on the abdomen. However,
in another apiary, 2 adults + 4 eggs + 11 immature, or a total
of 17 mites were found on the abdomen of a single honey bee!
The frequency of infestation of individual bees by mites of different
developmental stages is also shown in Tables 9-11. Bees infested
on the thorax were most frequently infested with eggs only. Bees
infested on the wings were infested about equally with eggs only
or by immature stages only.
Comparatively few bees were infested on the abdomen, but a high
proportion of these (11 out of 19) had infestations by two or
three stages of mites simultaneously. It was observed that the
eggs and immature stages of mites occurring in the scutellar
groove on the thorax were tightly "glued" to the adjacent
hairs. When they were removed with a fine needle, many hairs
broke off, but the eggs and immature stages were easily floated
off the needle into a drop of water or of 20% glycerine. By contrast,
the eggs and immature stages of mites occurring on the wings
or abdomen were "glued" very tightly to the membrane
wings or the the comparatively smooth surface of the front of
the abdomen. It was very difficult to pry them off with a needle,
and when this was accomplished, they adhered very firmly to the
needle, so that it was difficult to transfer them to a drop of
fluid on a microscope slide.
Page #13, A number of adult
mites from each of the above three breeding sites on honey bees
were preserved in Hoyer's,s medium on microscope slides. Those
from the scutellar groove have the characters distinctive for
Acarapis dorsalis: namely, an apodeme the full length of the
propodosoma, and the rear margin of the coxal plate (between
the hind legs) having a deep indentation between two broadly
rounded lobes (Micheal, 1962). The mites from the wings or abdomen
have a short apodeme (about 2/3 the length of the propodosoma).
The shape of the rear margin of their coxal plate is very difficult
to determine, and has not been clearly seen in enough individuals
to determine its exact character. It appears to be almost truncate,
like that of A. externus, the neck mite. However, in some individuals
it appears to be a slightly rounded lobe without any indentation.
In most specimens it is obscured by internal structures or elements--perhaps
including ova or feces. If it is identical to A. externus, it
seems strange that not a single mite of any developmental stage
was found breeding under the neck of any of the nearly 4000 bees
examined individually in this survey, where the neck mite is
known to breed. Polaroid photographs have been taken which show
the almost transparent eggs or immature mites attached to each
of the three breeding sites: (1) scutellar groove of thorax,
(2) beside a vein near the base of the wings, or (3) on the front
of the abdomen.
----
Bee Culture Investigations, Laramie, Wyo.
Period: Apr 1 - Sep 30, 1970 with Quarterly Progress Report labeled
For Official Use Only, with following: This progress report includes
tentative results of research not sufficiently complete to justify
general release. Such findings, when adequately confirmed, will
be released promptly through established channels. Therefore,
this report is not intended for publication and should not be
referred to in literature citations. Work Unit/Project No. 00
ENT C1005 5301 00 Bee Disease Control.
ABSTRACT:
Page #2, Only a slight amount of nosema disease was found in
5 out of 25 package colonies sampled in early May. The same package
bees, received from California, had external mites on bees from
92% of the package colonies, and on about 15% of the bees in
the infested colonies. These mites were found on 3 locations
on the bees, bodies: the scutellar groove on the thorax, the
wings, and the front portion of the abdomen. eggs, immature stages,
and adult mites were found at each location. There was an average
of 2 mites per bee on the thorax or wings, but about 3 1/2 mites
per bee on the abdomen. The mites in the scutellar groove undoubtedly
are Acarapis dorselis. those on the wings and abdomen are believed
to be A. vagans. The underside of the neck of each bee also was
examined for A. externus, known to breed on that location, but
none was found. Single colonies occasionally included different
bees infested with mites on all 3 body locations. Individual
bees occasionally had mites on both the thorax and wings, or
both the wings and abdomen, but not on both the thorax (scutellar
groove) and abdomen.
Page #20, External Mites on
Honey Bees (Hitchcock). Samples of 30 worker honey bees from
each colony were obtained on May 5, 1970, from 25 package colonies,
obtained from Davis, California, established in our Gunnerson
apiary. each individual bee was examined under a dissecting microscope
to determine the number and distribution of mites on various
body regions of the bees. The data are summarized in Table 17.
External mites were found in 92% of the packages. Mites occurred
on 14.5% of all the bees examined from the infested colonies.
Page #21, Table 18 summarizes
additional data on the numbers of honey bees having various numbers
of each stage of the mites on various body regions. While comparatively
few bees were found infested with mites on their abdomens, these
mites were more abundant per bee, than mites on the thorax or
wings. The average number of mites of all stages: eggs, immatures,
and adults, occurring on the front part of the bees, abdomen
was nearly 3 1/2 mites, compared to averages of about 2 mites
per bee for those on the thorax or wings. Photographs were taken
of mites on each body region. The mite species occurring in the
dorsal scutellar groove on the thorax is undoubtedly Acarapis
dorsalis. The mites occurring on either two wings or abdomen
are believed to be A. vagans, but more detailed observations
of their microscopic anatomy, on more specimens, are needed to
confirm their identify, and to ascertain that mites on both the
wings and abdomen are the same species. The underside of the
necks of all bees sampled from these package colonies was also
examined for the neck mites: A. externus, but none was found.
----
Bee Culture Laboratory, Beltsville, Md.
Period: Apr 1 - Jun 30, 1959.
Page 6, A survey of Acarapis mites on honey bees in the United
States was initiated during this quarter. Twenty-three routine
samples from Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky,
Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia,
and North Carolina were examined for the presence of external
and internal mites. In addition, thirty special samples from
Wisconsin and ten samples from Wyoming were also subjected to
the same examination. No external or internal mites were found
in the total of 63 samples. Additional samples from other geographic
areas will be solicited during the next quarter.
----
Bee Culture Laboratory, Beltsville, Md.
Period: Jul 1 - Sep 30, 1959.
Forty-eight samples of bees were examined for the presence of
Acarapis mites. No Tracheal mites were found but a mite was recovered
from one sample by washing. This mite has been sent to the National
Museum for identification.
Page #5, The survey of Acarapis mites on honey bees in the United
States was continued during this quarter. Forty-eight samples
of adult bees were examined for the presence of external and
internal mites. In excess of 1,000 individual dissections for
tracheal mites were made with negative results. A mite was recovered
by washing from a sample of bees obtained from Louisiana. This
mite has been sent to the National Museum for final identification.
additional samples have been requested from the apiary from which
the mite was obtained.
----
Bee Culture Laboratory, Beltsville, Md.
Period: Oct 1 - Dec 31, 1959.
One hundred and seventy-three samples of bees were examined for
the presence of Acarapis mites. One hundred and eighteen of these
samples were found to be infested with external Acarapis. The
positive samples were from the states of California, Utah, and
Maryland. No tracheal mites were found in over 5,000 dissections
of bees from these samples. A sample of Acarapis woodi infested
dead bees in alcohol was received from Italy. These bees wee
sent by Dr. Giordani for demonstration purposes.
Page #6, II. REPORT OF PROGRESS (Continued). The survey of Acarapis
mites on honey bees in the United states was continued during
this quarter. One hundred seventy-three samples of bees were
examined for the presence of external and internal mites. More
than 5,000 individual dissections for tracheal mites were made
with negative results. However, examinations revealed 118 of
these samples to be infested with external acarapis. One hundred
fifteen of these samples were from Shasta County, California,
and were examined for confirmation of the findings of the California
workers. One sample of bees from Utah and 2 samples of bees from
the laboratory apiary at Beltsville, Md., were found to be infested
with external Acarapis. A change in technique for external mites
has resulted in easier detection of the presence of these mites
on bees. Approximately a dozen bees are placed in a petri dish
and wetted with a 1 to 10,000 solution of triton X-100. This
wetting agent is forcibly ejected from a plastic squeeze bottle
directly onto each individual bee. The bees are then liberally
washed with distilled water forcibly ejected from a plastic squeeze
bottle directly onto each individual bee. This can be done rapidly
until approximately 1/4 of an inch of fluid has collected in
the petri dish. The presence of the Triton X-100 eliminates currents
in the fluid and also causes the mites to settle to the floor
of the petri dish. Examinations therefore can be made in a single
plane under the dissecting microscope at a magnification of 20
times.
Page #7, The mites when located are easily removed from the fluid
with a capillary pipette and transferred to a microscope slide
for examination at higher power. Dr. Edward Baker, of our insect
identification group at the National Museum, working with materials
supplied by us and material obtained from the California workers
has succeeded in locating a definite morphological difference
between Acarapis woodi and the external mite under study which
is apparently Acarapis dorsalis. Drawings demonstrating this
difference are attached. A sample of dead bees infested with
Acrapis woodi has been received from Italy. These bees were sent
by Dr Giordani for demonstration purposes. Tracheal dissections
are being made to obtain material for the preparation of microscope
slides for our own files and for distribution.
----
Bee Culture Laboratory, Beltsville, Md.
Period: Jan 1 - Mar 31, 1960.
I. SUMMARY OF PROGRESS. A total of 32 accessions were received
for diagnosis. External mites were found to be present on bees
obtained from Florida. An intensive survey of the diseases of
adult bees in Maryland has been initiated.
Page #6, II. REPORT OF PROGRESS
(Cont'd). The survey of Acarapis mites on honey bees in the United
states was continued during this quarter. External mites, Acarapis
dorsalis, were found to be present on bees from Florida. Mites
other than Acarapis that have been recovered from samples of
bees are as follows: Carpoglyphus, a widely distributed genus,
found on dried fruits, milk products, glucose, decaying potatoes,
flour, and many other food products. One species of Carpoglyphus
has been recorded as breeding in large numbers inside bottles
of wine in Paris, maintaining itself on floating pieces of cork
and drawing nourishment from the wine. Glycyphagous domesticus,
a species found in dried fruits, and organic matter such as skin
and feathers, and is often found in enormous numbers in homes
and stores. This mite also causes the "grocer's itch"
when highly infested material is handled. It has also been reported
as the intermediate host of Catenotaemia pusilla, a cestode parasite
of rodents. tydeus, mites that are worldwide in distribution
and appear to be predaceous on small insects and mites and their
eggs and Oribatid. Tyrophagus; Tarsonemus; Typhiodromus.
Page #8, II REPORT OF PROGRESS
(Cont'd). Fifty-five microscope slides of Acarapis dorsalis and
twenty-eight slides of Acrapis woodi have been completed. Upon
receipt of additional A. woodi material from Italy, completion
of these slides for distribution can be accomplished. The late
winter and early spring in Maryland were unusually severe with
resulting losses of approximately 10% of the colonies. Time has
been devoted to apiary cleanup and preparation of equipment for
spring management.
----
Bee Culture Laboratory, Beltsville, Md.
Period: Apr 1 - Jun 30, 1960.
I. SUMMARY OF PROGRESS. A total of 244 accessions were received
for diagnosis. Laboratory examinations totaled 948, and 3,810
individual dissections were made for tracheal mites. External
mites were found on bees from the States of Georgia and West
Virginia.
Page #6, II. REPORT OF PROGRESS (Cont'd). The survey of Acarapis
mites on honey bees in the United States was continued during
this quarter. Acarapis dorsalis was found to be present on bees
from Georgia and West Virginia, two states from which they had
not been previously reported. Dissections for the internal mite,
Acarapis woodi, totaling 3,810, were made on 127 samples and
all have been negative. A survey for adult bee diseases in the
State of Maryland covering 103 apiaries revealed that 16.5% of
these apiaries were harboring Nosema disease in detectable amounts;
4.9% of these apiaries were found to contain detectable infestations
of external mites; and one apiary was found to contain Septicemia.
It is planned to survey at least 400 apiaries in this study.
----
Bee Culture Laboratory, Beltsville, Md.
Period: Jul 1 - Sep 30, 1960.
I. SUMMARY OF PROGRESS. A total of 197 accessions were received
for diagnosis. Laboratory examinations totaled 790, and 3,150
individual dissections were made for tracheal mites. External
mites were found on bees from the States of Mississippi and Tennessee.
Sixty-five apiaries in Maryland were surveyed this quarter for
adult diseases. Nosema disease was found in 25% of these apiaries,
external mites in 7.5% of these apiaries, and Septicemia was
found in one apiary. A spore-forming bacillus and an unidentified
coccus were isolated from Wisconsin bees showing symptoms of
paralysis. Both organisms demonstrated some pathogenicity for
adult bees.
Page #6, II. REPORT OF PROGRESS (Cont'd). The survey of Acarapis
mites on honeybees in the United States was continued during
this quarter. Acarapis dorsalis was found to be present on bees
from Mississippi and Tennessee, two states from which they had
not been previously reported. Dissections for the internal mite,
Acarapis woodi, totaling 3,150, were made on 105 samples and
all were negative.
----
Bee Culture Laboratory, Beltsville, Md.
Period: Oct 1 - Dec 31, 1960.
Page #2, I. SUMMARY OF PROGRESS (Cont'd). Sets of microscope
slides of A. woodi and A. dorsalis have been prepared and distributed.
A sample of Apis Indica received from Oregon contained mites
identified as A. woodi.
Page #9, A series of 35mm. transparencies have been completed
on the subject of Acarine mites of the honey bee. A set of these
slides has been furnished to each of the Bee Culture laboratories.
Two sets have also been sent to Mr. Seymour Bailey, President,
Apiary Inspectors of America. A set of microscope slides of A.
woodi and A. dorsalis have also been sent to each of the Bee
Culture laboratories.
Page #10, A sample of Apis indica was received from the Oregon
State Department of Agriculture for examination for Acarine disease.
This sample was from experimental stock obtained from Japan in
a double screen package and was to be maintained in a special
bee room. Our examination did not reveal the presence of any
mites in the trachea of these bees. However, when muscle sections
were made of the anterior portion of the thorax including the
anterior tracheae and the muscle mass was dissolved by lactic
acid, mites were found with coxal plate configurations identified
with Acarapis woodi.These mites were sent to Dr. E. W. Baker
who identified them as A.woodi.
----
Bee Culture Laboratory, Beltsville, Md.
Period: Apr 1 - Jun 30, 1961.
A 5-week's visit was made to European laboratories in Italy,
France, Switzerland, Germany, and England to study Acarine disease.
Samples of dead preserved bees infested with A. woodi and A.
vagans were brought back from Europe for additional study of
differential characters of various species of honey bee mites.
Page #9, In Europe diagnosis of acarine disease in the apiary
is considered of a presumptive nature. A colony with reduced
supplies, a normal complement of young bees but low in numbers
of foragers is suspect. A severe infestation results in a colony
greatly reduced in strength, especially in the spring. Individual
bees with wings unhooked are unable to fly, climb blades of grass,
etc., or lay on the ground motionless or with wings vibrating
ineffectively. These symptoms are mostly observed during the
spring. In summer not many diseased or dead bees are found but
more frequently weak colonies with reduced foraging activity
are observed.
--
Signed: Dee A. Lusby, Tucson, Arizona, USA, 1-520-748-0542
Email Address: deealusby1@aol.com
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