Incidence of Tropilaelaps clareae on Apis cerana at (Nauni) Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The ectoparasitic mite Tropilaelaps clareae is an important honey bee pest in Asia. No survey on its presence on Apis cerana colonies have been performed in Himachal Pradesh state of India. In the present investigation, we observed the presence of T. clareae in brood of A. cerana colonies during the period of one year. T. clareae was found during the brooding period in spring and autumn, albeit generally with low levels of infestation.

Keywords:

• Tropilaelaps clareae
• Apis cerana
• ectoparasitic mites
• indigenous honey bee

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Indian Council of Agriculture Research, New Delhi, through the project Coordinator, All India Coordinated Research Project on Honey bees and Pollinators for encouraging such type of studies and providing financial assistance.