30/05/2026
🐝 Beekeeping season is in full swing, and that means now is the time to be checking your colonies for Tropilaelaps mites.
I've been a bit quiet on here recently while carrying out fieldwork, but I've finally had a chance to update the PHIRA-Science website with some of the research we published from last season. One of our recent studies looked at how Tropilaelaps can spread through swarming, highlighting just how easily these mites can move between colonies and areas—even before they have been officially confirmed locally.
📖 Read more about the research here: https://www.phira-science.org/research/tropilaelaps/survival-and-transmission
The key message for beekeepers is simple: don't wait until Tropilaelaps is reported in your area before you start monitoring. Early detection is essential.
In this video, I demonstrate two brood inspection techniques that can be used to detect Tropilaelaps:
🔍 Checking brood with tweezers
🔍 Rapid brood decapping
If you're not familiar with these methods, or would like to learn more about monitoring for Tropilaelaps, the PHIRA-Science website has a range of educational resources and demonstration videos covering different detection techniques.
🎥 Explore the resources here: https://www.phira-science.org/resources
Regular monitoring helps protect your colonies and strengthens our collective ability to detect and respond to emerging pest threats. Please share this post with other beekeepers and encourage them to check their hives this season.
For many years it was assumed that Tropilaelaps mites could only survive for a few days without honey bee brood. If true, this would severely limit their ability to spread.
