The ectoparasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae reduces western honey bee, Apismellifera, longevity and emergence weight, and promotes Deformed wing virus infections

Kitiphong Khongphinitbunjong; Peter Neumann; Panuwan Chantawannakul; Geoffrey R Williams

doi:10.1016/j.jip.2016.04.006

The ectoparasitic mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae reduces western honey bee, Apismellifera, longevity and emergence weight, and promotes Deformed wing virus infections

J Invertebr Pathol. 2016 Jun:137:38-42. doi: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.04.006. Epub 2016 Apr 25.

Authors

Kitiphong Khongphinitbunjong¹, Peter Neumann², Panuwan Chantawannakul³, Geoffrey R Williams²

Affiliations

¹ School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand; Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: khongphinit@gmail.com.
² Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3003 Bern, Switzerland; Agroscope, Swiss Bee Research Centre, 3003 Bern, Switzerland.
³ Bee Protection Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address: panuwan@gmail.com.

PMID: 27126517
DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2016.04.006

Abstract

Historically an ectoparasite of the native Giant honey bee Apis dorsata, the mite Tropilaelaps mercedesae has switched hosts to the introduced western honey bee Apis mellifera throughout much of Asia. Few data regarding lethal and sub-lethal effects of T. mercedesae on A. mellifera exist, despite its similarity to the devastating mite Varroa destructor. Here we artificially infested worker brood of A. mellifera with T. mercedesae to investigate lethal (longevity) and sub-lethal (emergence weight, Deformed wing virus (DWV) levels and clinical symptoms of DWV) effects of the mite on its new host. The data show that T. mercedesae infestation significantly reduced host longevity and emergence weight, and promoted both DWV levels and associated clinical symptoms. Our results suggest that T. mercedesae is a potentially important parasite to the economically important A. mellifera honey bee.

Keywords: Apis mellifera; Deformed wing virus; Longevity; Tropilaelaps mercedesae; Vector.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Bees / parasitology*
Insect Vectors / virology*
Insect Viruses / pathogenicity*
Varroidae / virology*