Honey Bee Parasites, Pests, Predators and Diseases

Healthy and infested tracheae

Positive identification of tracheal mites can be done only by dissection and microscopic examination (100 - 250x magnification) of honey bee thoracic tracheae. The tracheae, of uninfested bees are clear and colorless or pale amber in color and elastic. In a slight infestation, one or both tracheal tubes contain a few adult mites and eggs which may be detected near the spiracular openings. At this stage the tracheae may appear clear, cloudy or slightly discolored.