Tracheal mites

Tracheal mites were also killed by formic acid [51]. This parasite, Acarapis woodi (Acari Tarsonemidae), lives in the tracheal tubes of adult honey bees. The bees die because of the disruption to respiration caused by the mites clogging the tracheae. 

The same research group evaluated neem oil in the field [54]. They sprayed a 5% solution of the oil on infested honey bee colonies, killing about 90% Varroa mites but obtaining only a slight but not statistically significant decrease in tracheal mite infestation levels. Unfortunately this treatment caused 50% queen loss and the treated colonies showed one-third as many adult bees and one-sixth as much brood as untreated... 

Danish researchers performed a trial with a formulation of rapeseed oil combined to an emulsifier, as well as soyabean oil also with different emulsifiers. The oils were either sprayed on bees or administered in sugar patties. While the oils with high concentration of emulsifier killed high levels of mites (up to 97%), the side-effect was significant bee deaths (over 50%). Oil mixtures with less emulsifier were not effective in killing mites. Oil patties similar to those used with tracheal mites did not significantly reduce Varroa levels. The researchers conclusion is that vegetable oils do not seem a realistic alternative for Varroa control [60]. 

Honey bee Acari, tracheal mite (Acarapi woodi)... 

Gary, N. E and Page, R. E. (1988). Phenotypic variation in susceptibility of honey bees, Apis mellifera, to infestation by tracheal mites, Acarapis woodi. Exp. Appl. Acarol., 3, 291-305. 

Phelan, P.L., Smith, A. W. and Needham, G. R. (1991). Mediation of host selection by cuticular hydrocarbons in the honeybee tracheal mite Acarapis woodi (Rennie). 

SYNS CYCLOHEXANOL, 2-ISOPROPYL-5-METHYL- FEMA No. 2665 HEXAHYDROTHYMOL 2-ISOPROPYL-5-METHYLCYCLOHEXANOL P-MENTHAN-3-OL 1-iMENTHOL 5-METHYL-2-(l-METHYLETHYL)CY-CLOHEXANOL PEPPERMINT CAMPHOR TRA-KILL TRACHEAL MITE KILLER... 

The acarine mite, also known as the tracheal mite, resides within the trachea of the bee. These parasites lay their eggs in the airway of the bee, where they mature. Only mated mites leave the trachea of the host bee to find another bee in which to reside. Eventually, all the mites will leave a host bee after the infested bee dies. These mites must reside within a host and will die if they cannot find another. 

Beekeepers use formic acid as a miticide against the Tracheal (Acarapis woodi) mite and the Varroa mite. 

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