Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy Studies on the Parasitic Mite Affecting Honey Bee Apis mellifera

Abstract

The most significant of the social insects, honey bees (Apismellifera) are the primary pollinators of domesticated plantsand contribute to the stability of ecosystems. The decline in thenumber of bee populations due to parasitic mites has asubstantial and detrimental effect on the honey bee population.Mites (Acari) have grown to be a serious global issue forbeekeepers all over the world. The current study was designedto investigate the ultra-structure and morphology of theparasitic mite (Tropilaelaps), an ectoparasite of the Europeanhoneybee, Apis mellifera. In order to conduct this study, themites were collected from apiaries located in and arounddifferent regions of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Themorphological identification was done by Light Microscopywhile the ultra-structural assessment was carried out with thehelp of a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The results ofthis preliminary study revealed the presence of one of the maindamaging genera of mites viz., Tropilaelaps. Light and Scanningelectron microscopy revealed the dorsal shield, the ventralshields (metapodal shield, epigynal shield, and anal shield),and the genital plate on the ventral side. Peritreme,tritosternum, gnathosoma, chelicerae, and four pairs of legswere observed in detail as well as the presence of irregularsetae all over the body. The study of morphological features ofthe Tropilaelaps mite will provide additional insights into thetaxonomy of the parasite as well as contribute informationtowards further management of these parasites