2.8 Varroosis

Varroosis primarily affects the brood. The adult varroa mite measures approximately 1.6 mm in width and 1.1 mm in length. It reproduces exclusively in the brood and has no host other than the honey bee. The varroa mite itself is a carrier of bee viruses. It feeds on haemolymph (the “blood” of bees) and transmits viruses directly into the bee’s body. Without varroa treatment, or with insufficient varroa control, it weakens colonies to such an extent that they usually perish within one to two years.