Varroa

Varroa, Varroa destructor, is a parasitic mite of bee colonies. It originates from Java but is now established in almost every part of the world, except for some islands. It is the biggest problem in global beekeeping. It feeds on adult bees and their brood, using a long, saw-shaped jaw to break the protective exoskeleton of the bee and sucking its fat with a proboscis. This action hinders the metamorphosis of the brood and affects the functioning of adult bees, making them less active and more susceptible to diseases.