Varroa mite, Varroa destructor, Laelapidae
Found worldwide, the varroa mite is an external parasitic mite that attacks and feeds on honey bees and is one of the most damaging honey bee pests in the world. A significant mite infestation leads to the death of a honey bee colony.
The mites have flattened, curved bodies that allow them to attach to adult bees between the abdominal segments, though they will also feed on larvae. They feed primarily on honey bee fat body tissue and not hemolymph, weakening the bee and potentially acting as a vector for harmful viruses.
Photos 1-4 (on the head of a bee pupa) by gillessanmartin, 5 by mohawkalex, 6 by dti88, 7 by mmmmbugs, 8 by georgiebug, and 9-10 (male mite - all others are female) by gillessanmartin
