What are vampires?
vampire mites are parasites that connect to bees and cause many problems for insects and their beekeepers. This tick -like mite, also known as Varro or beekeeping mite, lives on individual bees and spreads from one hive to another. They feed on bee fluid, transmit the disease and spread bacteria through colonies. A group of vampire mites can destroy the entire hive of bees. They were found in Southeast Asia in 1904 and in 1962-62 were found on various types of bees in Hong Kong and the Philippines, then they began to spread quickly. With a drinker on various types of host bees, the queens of bees from infected areas and the movement of infested colonies, the problem of vampires arrived in the United States until 1979. After the only mite was found in Maryland. and is known to be in the United States in small numbers from that dOBY.
Adult vampire mites are a small pinhead size, visible to the naked eye and move from red to dark brown to black. They are in the shape of crabs and usually have a curved body that fits in the abdominal breaks in the body of the bee. Vampire mites have eight legs and pins capable of penetrating the bee feed.
vampire mites starts on a 10 -day birth cycle. The mother puts the eggs into the unborn bee chicks and will soon expire. The mites are born when the bee is born and feeds on this new host and evolves with a developing young bee. The parasite generally dies when the host dies, and leaving vampire mites alive if the bee remains alive in most cases. Attack vampires of mites in this Manner can have different results, from deformed bees to birth to premature destruction of the entire bee colony.
attacking such a size can destroy one hive, one beekeeper or honey production from one small area. With one weakened colony, other colonies can move in creating devastating effects for the economic well -being of beekeeper. Methods of control and detection are extensive, although the inspection must be carried out for some time before or after the honey cycle to maintain natural integrity and honey safety.