Varroa mite
Also known as: Varroa destructor, varroa, varroa mite
The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a parasitic mite of the honey bee that breeds in capped brood and spreads viruses.
The Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a parasitic mite of the honey bee. It first lived on the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana, then jumped to the western honey bee; it reached the United States in 1987.
According to Penn State Extension, mites reproduce only in capped cells of worker bees and drones. After capping, a worker develops for 11 days and a drone for 15, so a female mite leaves 2.2–2.6 offspring in drone cells but 1.3–1.4 in worker cells. Drone brood attracts six times more mites. Queen cells are not used.
The mite feeds on the bees' haemolymph and fat body and transmits viruses such as deformed wing virus. IPBES notes that since Varroa spread widely, seasonal colony losses in Europe and North America have often been higher than the 10–15 % once regarded as normal.
Mites are counted by alcohol wash (the most accurate), sugar roll or sticky board; the aim is about 2 mites per 100 bees. Integrated control combines screened bottom boards, drone brood removal, a brood break of about three weeks, resistant stock and treatments with oxalic or formic acid, thymol or amitraz.
Why this matters to you. Autumn Varroa control decides whether a colony survives the winter, and so whether there is honey next year.
Facts
| Region | Original host Apis cerana; in the USA since 1987 |
|---|---|
| Duration | Breeds under the capping: 11 days in worker cells, 15 in drone cells |
| House range | Counts: alcohol wash, sugar roll, sticky board; aim about 2 mites per 100 bees |
| Main use | Control: screened floor, drone brood removal, brood break, acids, thymol |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Varroa mite → kind of → Apiary and beekeeping → kind of → 🍯 Honey
Links
- Part of
- Apiary and beekeeping
- Similar and different
- Western honey bee, Drone bee, Beekeeper
Frequently asked questions
What is the Varroa mite?
Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite of the honey bee that breeds in capped brood and transmits viruses.
Where does Varroa come from?
Its original host is the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana; it reached the United States in 1987 (Penn State).
How many mites are too many?
Penn State aims for about 2 mites per 100 bees, counted by alcohol wash, sugar roll or sticky board.
Is it true that removing drone brood alone gets rid of Varroa?
No. It removes the mites breeding in that comb, but Penn State advises combining it with other methods.
Why does Varroa prefer drone brood?
Drones spend longer under the capping (15 days against 11), so each mite leaves more offspring.
What to read next
Similar
Honey bee colony life cycle · Beekeeping suit and veil · Tree beekeeping · Bee smoker · Log hive · Honey extractor
Sources
- Penn State Extension: Methods to Control Varroa Mites — An Integrated Pest Management Approach (Underwood, López-Uribe, 2025)
- IPBES (2016): Summary for policymakers of the assessment report on pollinators, pollination and food production