The Tropilaelaps mite poses a significant threat to bee colonies in Europe by infesting brood…

The Tropilaelaps mite poses a significant threat to bee colonies in Europe by infesting brood frames and feeding on the bodily fluids of developing bee larvae and pupae. Recently confirmed in Turkey, this invasive mite has crossed into Europe, prompting experts to discuss containment strategies in North Macedonia. A report from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on August 31, 2026, highlights this alarming development, as the mite, originally from Asia, has spread westward through Russia and Georgia. This situation presents an existential risk to the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera), surpassing the dangers posed by the Varroa mite.