Parasitic mite syndrome (PMS)

• Caused by: virus, typically several viruses at once
• Brood disease
• Symptoms variable
• Associated with parasitic mites (Varroa)

Since the introduction of parasitic mites, many honey bee colonies exhibit a variety of unusual and highly variable symptoms. Collectively these symptoms are being called Parasitic Mite Syndrome (PMS). One symptom is the presence of diseased brood. The diseased larvae have been diagnosed with virus and typically several viruses at once. Although the circumstances under which the diseased brood appears are highly variable, all of the diseased colonies are infested with Varroa mites.

The European literature is filled with reports of viruses infecting both brood and adult bees in close association with Varroa mites. In addition, over the past several years many beekeepers have experienced bees disappearing completely from previously healthy colonies in the early fall. This situation is most likely associated with Varroa mites, viruses or a combination of both.

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