by Flow Hive 3 min read
Tropilaelaps mites are honeybee parasites that share some similarities with Varroa mites. The primary hosts of Tropilaelaps are some of the Asian honey bee subspecies (Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa). However, like Varroa, some Tropilaelaps species have more recently adapted to parasitising the European honey bee (Apis mellifera).
Tropilaelaps adults lay their eggs inside honeybee brood cells and the developing mite larvae feed on the blood of the developing bees.
Tropilaelaps’ range is currently largely confined to Asian countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Their geographic range has spread rapidly within the last 50 years and they have been reported in Kenya and Papua New Guinea. There is great concern that they will cause enormous damage to honeybee colonies in any area that they spread to.
Tropilaelepsmites appear similar toVarroa mites, though they are significantly smaller and their bodies are more elongated. They are brownish-red in colour and have hard-shelled bodies. Females are approximately 0.7mm long and 0.5-0.6mm wide, while males are significantly smaller.
Tropilaelaps andVarroa cause similar damage to European honeybee colonies. They can kill the developing brood, shorten the lifespan of adult bees that survive the brood stage and spread diseases such as deformed wing virus. These mites have caused significant losses to honeybee colonies across Asia. European honeybees are more susceptible to damage from Tropilaelaps than Asian honeybees because they have not evolved the same behavioural defences against the mites.
Tropilaelaps have a similar life cycle to that ofVarroa, but have a shorter lifecycle, which enables them to build up much faster within a colony. The mites reproduce within brood cells, with a female mite typically laying 3-4 eggs daily onto bee larvae, beginning 48 hours after the cell is capped. Both the adult and developing mites feed on the haemolymph (blood) of the bee larvae.
Tropilaelaps spreads most rapidly through beekeepers transporting infected colonies. They can spread within apiaries through contaminated equipment and combs. Tropilaelaps mites can also spread over long distances via adult bees through drifting, robbing and swarming.
Signs ofTropilaelaps infestation are similar to those ofVarroa. High brood mortality, irregular brood pattern, perforated cappings, stunted adult bees and bees with deformed wings are potential indicators ofTropilaelaps.
Tropilaelaps mites can be detected using the sugar shake, alcohol wash or sticky board method.Tropialeps can be distinguished fromVarroa mites, as they are smaller and narrower thanVarroa.
Maintaining good hygiene and husbandry practices will help to prevent the further spread of these mites. Be aware of local regulations in regards to pest monitoring and reporting. If you suspect that you have aTropialeps infestation, contact the regulatory authorities immediately.Rapid detection and identification can help to keep this parasite out of countries where it is not yet established.
Providing a brood break is an effective treatment againstTropialeps, as the mites cannot survive for long outside of the brood cells. Beekeepers in areas where Tropiaeleps is present may treat their hives with acaricides very frequently. If the mites are detected in a new country, an eradication or containment plan will be implemented to try to control the outbreak.
PHOTO:Dennis Anderson – CSIRO
Beekeeping requires specialist skills, carries inherent dangers, and is often subject to regulation. Instructional content we provide is intended as a general guide only and may not be applicable to your specific circumstances. If in doubt, seek assistance from your local authority, a professional beekeeping service or your nearest beekeeping association.
Harvest 21 kg (46 lb) of honey when your Flow Super is full
More room in the brood box for the queen to lay, which can lead to a bee colony of greater numbers.
Recommended for beekeeping in cold climates
10 frame Langstroth sizing
Harvest 18 kg (40 lb) of honey when your Flow Super is full
Our most popular Flow Hive size around the world
8 frame Langstroth sizing
Control the height and level of your hive perfectly, even on uneven ground, ensuring the ultimate slope for honey harvesting.
Keep your hive level to aid in straight foundationless brood comb formation
Keep your hive dry and off the ground, preventing ground dwelling pests from gaining easy access.
Flow Hive 2+ – 6 Frame
Flow Hive 2 – 6 Frame
8 frame Langstroth beehives
Flow Hive 2+ – 7 Frame
Flow Hive 2 – 7 Frame
10 frame Langstroth beehives
Bee suits are designed to be worn slightly baggy over your normal clothing, so it’s best to choose a slightly larger size than you would normally wear.
Be sure to give yourself plenty of room to move around with additional length for movement – ankles and wrists need to remain covered when you’re crouching, bending or stretching.
You do not want the suit to be tight fitting – it’s this loose fitting material that offers sting prevention.
If in doubt or between sizes, go up to the next size:
Height (cm) | Weight (kg) | ||||||||||
50 | 56 | 62 | 68 | 74 | 80 | 86 | 92 | 98 | 104 | 110 | |
145 - 150 | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | |||||||
150 - 155 | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | S | M | M | M | |||
155 - 160 | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | S | M | M | M | L | ||
160 - 166 | XS | XS | XS | S | M | M | M | L | XL | XL | |
166 - 171 | XS | S | S | M | M | L | L | L | XL | XL | 2XL |
171 - 176 | M | M | M | M | L | L | L | L | XL | 2XL | 2XL |
176 - 181 | L | L | L | L | L | L | XL | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL |
181 - 186 | L | L | L | L | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | |
186 - 191 | L | L | L | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
191 - 197 | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | ||
197 - 204 | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | 5XL |
Height (feet) | Weight (lbs) | ||||||||||
110 | 123 | 137 | 150 | 163 | 176 | 190 | 203 | 216 | 229 | 243 | |
4'9" - 4'11" | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | |||||||
4'11" - 5'1" | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | S | M | M | M | |||
5'1" - 5'3" | 2XS | 2XS | XS | S | S | M | M | M | L | ||
5'3" - 5'5" | XS | XS | XS | S | M | M | M | L | XL | XL | |
5'5" - 5'7" | XS | S | S | M | M | L | L | L | XL | XL | 2XL |
5'7" - 5'9" | M | M | M | M | L | L | L | L | XL | 2XL | 2XL |
5'9" - 5'11" | L | L | L | L | L | L | XL | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL |
5'11" - 6'1" | L | L | L | L | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | |
6'1" - 6'3" | L | L | L | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | |
6'3" - 6'5" | XL | XL | XL | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | ||
6'5" - 6' 7" | 2XL | 2XL | 2XL | 3XL | 3XL | 4XL | 5XL | 5XL |
Due to global shipping difficulties some products are preorder. To allow you the most time building and preparing your new hive, we will ship your Flow Hive now, with your suit and smoker to follow when these items are both in stock at no extra cost.