Apidologie 24 (1993) 403-410
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19930407

Survival of Euvarroa sinhai Delfinado and Baker (Acari, Varroidae) on workers of Apis cerana Fabr, Apis florea Fabr and Apis mellifera L in cages

N. Koeniger^a, G. Koeniger^a, L.I. De Guzman^b and C. Lekprayoon<sup>c

a</sup>  Institut für Bienenkunde (Polytechnische Gesellschaft), Fachbereich Biologie der JW Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main, Karl-von-Frisch-Weg 2, 61440 Oberursel 1, Germany
^b  Dept of Entomology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
^c  Bee Biology Research Unit, Dept of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Abstract - Euvarroa sinhai was collected from drone brood cells of Apis florea and introduced into cages with 5 worker bees of 3 honeybee species. After 24 h the survival rates of the mites were determined. The survival of Euvarroa sinhai on Apis mellifera was 53% compared to 70% on Apis florea and 8% on Apis cerana. Surviving Euvarroa sinhai were found under abdominal sternites of the bees. Experiments under more natural conditions are required to further explore the question of whether or not Euvarroa sinhai must be considered as a new candidate for parasitism on the Western honeybee Apis mellifera.

Key words: host-parasite relation / Euvarroa sinhai / Apis mellifera / Apis cerana / Apis florea