Varroa is an external parasitic mite that attacks honey bees. Varroa can only replicate in a honey bee colony. It attaches at the body of the bee and weakens the bee by sucking hemolymph. In this process the mite spreads viruses like Deformed Wing Virus to the bee. A significant mite infestation will lead to the death of a honey bee colony, usually in the late autumn through early spring. The Varroa mite has been the parasite with the most pronounced economic impact on the beekeeping industry.
Tracheal Mite (Acarapis woodi) is a mite that is an internal parasite of honey bees. It lives and reproduces in the tracheal tubes of the bees. The mites pierce the tracheal tube walls with their mouthparts and feed on the haemolymph of the bees. The mites are very small, generally under 175 micrometres, and can only be seen and identified under a microscope.Colony Collapse Disorder (or CCD) is a little-understood phenomenon in which worker bees from a beehive colony abruptly disappear. CCD was originally found in Western honey bee colonies in North America in late 2006. European beekeepers observed a similar phenomenon in Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, and initial reports have also come in from Switzerland and Germany, albeit to a lesser degree. Possible cases of CCD have also been reported in Taiwan since April 2007. The cause (or causes) is not yet well understood.
Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida) is a beekeeping pest.The small hive beetle, was first discovered in Florida in June of 1998 and has now been found in seven other U.S. states, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and Minnesota. To date, the beetle has not been found in Virginia, but the movement of migratory beekeepers from Florida may have transported the beetle to other states. Recent findings also indicate transport of the beetles in packages.
The small hive beetle can be a destructive pest of honey bee colonies, causing damage to comb, stored honey and pollen. If a beetle infestation is sufficiently heavy, they may cause bees to abandon their hive. Its absence can also be a marker in the diagnosis of Colony Collapse Disorder for honey-bees. The beetles can also be a pest of stored combs, and honey (in the comb) awaiting extraction. Beetle larvae may tunnel through combs of honey, feeding and defecating, causing discoloration and fermentation of the honey.
Why do beekeepers even keep trying to raise honeybees, other insects can do the pollination.
Yes other insects can pollinate. But none does the job as well as the honeybee. A honeybee is so important to agriculture, government has research labs for honeybees. States has recognized this little gals importance to give grants to state beekeeping organizations. Every third bite of food you eat a honeybee was involved. The medical field sees importance in medicine from the apiary. Beekeepers will continue protecting this insect.