C. Menezes, A. Coletto-Silva, G.S. Gazeta, W.E. Kerr
Published: June 02, 2009
Genet. Mol. Res. 8 (2) : 630-634
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-2kerr021
Cite this Article:
C. Menezes, A. Coletto-Silva, G.S. Gazeta, W.E. Kerr (2009). Infestation by Pyemotes tritici (Acari, Pyemotidae) causes death of stingless bee colonies (Hymenoptera: Meliponina). Genet. Mol. Res. 8(2): 630-634. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-2kerr021
About the Authors
C. Menezes,A. Coletto-Silva,G.S. Gazeta,W.E. Kerr
Corresponding author
C. Menezes
E-mail: menezes.cristiano@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
We report the infestation of stingless bee nests by the mite Pyemotes tritici, which killed four colonies of Tetragonisca angustula and one colony of Frieseomelitta varia in Brazil. The first infected colony, a colony of T. angustula, came from an area between Uberlândia and Araguari, Minas Gerais. The transfer of the mites to the other colonies occurred through the transfer of infected combs and subsequent manipulations. Other colonies in the same meliponary, which had not been manipulated, were not infected. The infestation was terminated by isolating the dead colonies from the meliponary.
Key words: Meliponini, Mites, Meliponiculture, Apiculture, Natural enemies.