Honey bee mites (Acarina), a challange to beekeeping industry – A review

There is a large array of mites that has been found to be associated with bees, but it is a fact that out of the large number of bee mites known only a few of them are really a serious pest. The most important bee mites are Varroa jacobsoni, Tropilaelaps clareae and Euvarroa sinhai that are external parasites whereas Acarapis woodi is the internal parasite that infests the respiratory organ of bees. Extensive research is called for, for better understanding of bee and bee mites so as to chalk out an Integrated Pest Management programme of bee parasitic mites with the incorporation of predatory mites. Also intensive training of bee farmers in the proper management of healthy bee colonies and in detection and control of mites with simple preventive and hygienic method is essential.