Tracheal mite

Tracheal mite

Photo by Simon Hinkley and Ken Walker, Museum Victoria, PADIL

  • Internal parasite of the honey bee respiratory system
  • Affects the honey bee’s capacity to breathe, resulting in weakened and sick honey bees which have a reduced lifespan
  • Symptoms include population drop, bees crawling on the ground and bees holding their wings at odd angles (‘K wing’)
  • Accurate identification requires dissection and microscopic examination of trachea

High priority pest of: Honey bees

Scientific name: Acarapis woodi
EPPRD Category:
Life Form: Mites (ACARI)

Pest Documents

FS: fact sheet

CP: contingency plan

DP: diagnostic protocol