Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman - A new threat to beekeeping in India

The presence of Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman on Apis mellifera L. colonies has been recorded for the first time from state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. Large numbers of mites were recovered from debris, developing brood and adult bees. On an average, 2–5 mites were found on adult bees (n=50); 3–5 mites on larvae (n=50); 4–6 mites on pupae of worker bees. Drone brood was heavily infested with 6–25 mites/larva (n=50) and the number of mites/g debris was 42.00±4.41 (n=50). Its attack in Jammu & Kashmir has resulted in devastation of honeybee colonies and the loss has been estimated to be between 53.8–100 percent. The mite has posed a serious threat for beekeeping and there has been total loss of colonies in some apiaries.