An artificial membrane for in vitro feeding of Varroa jacobsoni and Acarapis woodi, mite parasites of honey bees*

Abstract

— A synthetic membrane through which Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans, a mite parasite of honey bees, can be fed was modified in such a manner that seams could be made virtually leak-proof and sacs designed to almost any configuration. These modifications thus eliminated problems encountered in previous feeding studies. In addition, another parasitic mite of honey bees, Acarapis woodi (Rennie), the tracheal mite, was also able to penetrate this membrane and ingest an artificial medium. Membrane modification and sac preparation are discussed in detail.