Mite Question for van from Arkansas

[BeeMaster2]

The Apis Cerana is not seriously affected by Varro mites because of their gestation period, the mites only enter the drone brood. These bees are smaller than our Apis Mellifera and are capped for a shorter time.
The article does not mention the gestation period for the mites nor does it mention if the mites are normally only found on the drone brood of the Apis Cerana. This is something that we need to know and will have to fineness out about.
Jim Altmiller

[BeeMaster2]

I just found this.
The life cycle of Tropilaelaps mites is very similar to that of Varroa mites in many ways, as both species of mites are external feeders which parasitise the brood stages of the honey bee. However, Tropilaelaps mites have a much shorter life cycle, and because of this, have a much greater reproductive rate than Varroa mites. Because of this greater reproductive rate, research has shown that in some hives there can be around 25 Tropilaelaps mites to every Varroa mite in a honey bee colony. However, unlike Varroa mites which can survive on adult bees for quite a few months, Tropilaelaps mites can only live for around 3 days on an adult worker bee as the adult Tropilaelaps mite mouthpiece cannot pierce the adult wall membrane, and therefore, cannot feed on adult worker bees. For this reason, Tropilaelaps mites spend the majority of their life in the brood and will continue to breed and survive in a honey bee colony as long as there is brood present.
Jim Altmiller

[BeeMaster2]

And now for the rest of the story.
A female Tropilaelaps mite will enter worker and drone brood cells that are in the process of being capped and lay 1?4 eggs (though typically 3 or 4). The development from egg to adult takes approximately one week and the adult mites (usually about 2?3) will emerge from the brood cell along with the emerging young adult bee. While in the capped cell the larval/nymph stage of the mite is white in colour and feeds on the developing brood. Adult Tropilaelaps mites are active, red-brown mites around 1mm in length and typically 0.5mm wide, about one third the size of a Varroa mite. Considering that Tropilaelaps mites cannot survive for very long on adult bees, the vast majority of adult mites (>95 per cent) will typically mate and re-enter a brood cell to lay more eggs within 2 days of the adult bee emerging from the capped brood cell.
Jim Altmiller

[CoolBees]

Very educational Jim. Thank you for supplying this data.

Based on this information, it would seem that freezing all of the brood frames (minus the adult bees) once or twice a year, along with a simultaneous treetment of the (now broodless) adult bee population would be an effective control strategy for these mites.

[Ben Framed]

Very educational Jim. Thank you for supplying this data.

Based on this information, it would seem that freezing all of the brood frames (minus the adult bees) once or twice a year, along with a simultaneous treetment of the (now broodless) adult bee population would be an effective control strategy for these mites.

X2 . Thanks very much, and to all who have responded.
Phillip

[BeeMaster2]

With only 30 hives with 2 to 3 brood boxes per hive, that will take forever.

No thanks.
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

With only 30 hives with 2 to 3 brood boxes per hive, that will take forever.

No thanks.
Jim Altmiller

Very educational Jim. Thank you for supplying this data.

Based on this information, it would seem that freezing all of the brood frames (minus the adult bees) once or twice a year, along with a simultaneous treetment of the (now broodless) adult bee population would be an effective control strategy for these mites.

X2 . Thanks very much, and to all who have responded.
Phillip

I was referring to the ?? very educational Jim. Thank you for supplying this data? part. Was on the go. Should have edited.

No matter what, if the new mite does hit home. We will have to do something to correct this pest. Live Oak may have the best answer, as there will not be an easy answer unless research comes up with a better plan. The Mighty Mite may  be the very best option. Not as fast as oxalic acid but at least we have a real effective way to get it done? What are your thoughts?
Phillip

[TheHoneyPump]

For those of us who have a definitive near broodless period for months on end,  this mite may be manageable.
The severity of impact may turn out to be regional / climate based.

[Ben Framed]

For those of us who have a definitive near broodless period for months on end,  this mite may be manageable.
The severity of impact may turn out to be regional / climate based.

Hopefully this mite won?t arrive in my county or yours. You are probably right about your situation in the case that they do arrive there. At least I hope so. It must be nice to live in such a honey producing part of the world. And let?s remember, you do not have to deal with the Small Hive Beetle either, correct?
The last few videos that I have watched by Ian Steppler are real eye openers as to the volume of honey per hive that can be produced, when managed properly in a prime location and circumstances.
Phillip