Bees
and the
Varroa Mite.
A female varroa mite.
Adult female Varroa mites (right) have well developed salivary glands with narrow ducts which open into the mouthparts. The mite feeds on the blood of bees.
A mite-infested honey bee pupa.
The varroa mite lives exclusively on honey bees. In New Zealand the varroa mite was discovered in North Island hives in the year 2000. It has threatened New Zealand's bee industry.