Effect of tracheal mite. infestation on colony condition and foraging activity of Apis mellifera Linn.

The impact of Acarapis woodi Rennie infestation on Apis mellifera Linn. was studied. The mite infestation perpetuated in the infested colonies causing adverse effect on their overall condition. The mite infested colonies showed declining trend in foraging activities at all the three intervals, viz., 0930, 1230 and 1530 hours during the experimental period The results indicated that in case of the mite attack, field force is depleted with the progress of infestation.