This note presents an update of the geographical distribution and spread of Tropilaelaps spp. mites, parasites of bees and exotic in the European Union (EU), as of 11 December 2025. It can be downloaded as a pdf here.

Previous states of play of the geographical distribution are available here.

The presence of Tropilaelaps spp. has been reported in the autonomous Republic of Abkhazia and in the Russian Republic of Dagestan, and suspected in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region of Georgia (Figures 1 & 2). The map of the worldwide geographical distribution of Tropilaelaps spp. has been updated accordingly (Figure 3).

 

Description

 

• Presence in the Republics of Abkhazia and of Dagestan

A study was conducted from 2022 to 2024 in an apiary from the Krasnodar region of Russia to investigate the specificities of the infestation by Tropilaelaps mercedesae in Russia (Brandorf et al. 2025). The mite has been present in this region since the summer of 2021 (Brandorf et al. 2024). The study compared the morphological characteristics of the local mite population with those from other regions and countries. Among these other regions and countries, 200 specimens were collected in the Gagra district of the autonomous Republic of Abkhazia, situated in northwestern Georgia, and another 200 specimens were collected in the Russian Republic of Dagestan, located in southwestern Russia at the eastern end of the North Caucasus (Figures 1 & 2). This constitutes the first reported occurrence of Tropilaelaps mercedesae presence in these two territories.

 

• Suspected presence in another region of Georgia

Discussions between the Anses[1] laboratory of Sophia Antipolis, a French association for rural development and a local Georgian beekeeper association suggest the presence of Tropilaelaps spp. in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, situated in southern Georgia near the frontier with Turkey and Armenia (personal communications, 2025) (Figures 1 & 2). In 2024, the presence of T. mercedesae was confirmed in the Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti region in northwestern Georgia (Janashia et al. 2024; WOAH website, consulted on 11 December 2025).

 

Discussion

These suspicions have neither been confirmed by official analyses, nor have been notified to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and no data have been published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals. Thus, this information should be considered with caution.

 

These data do not allow for an accurate description of the epidemiological situation in the affected territories. They do not originate from official surveillance systems but rather from scientific projects focusing on one or a limited number of apiaries, or from informal feedback. Their objective is neither to assess the prevalence of Tropilaelaps spp. nor its spread.

 

However, the potential spread of Tropilaelaps in regions neighbouring the EU constitutes an increasingly serious threat to the European beekeeping sector (Figure 2).

 

This calls for increased vigilance regarding movements of bees and beekeeping material, which are rapid spread routes for the parasite. Regulations on entry into the EU and movements between Member States make it possible to limit the risk of introduction.

 

The early detection of any possible introduction is essential to attempt eradication and prevent the mite establishment. Tropilaelaps spp. mites can no longer be eradicated once it is well established.

 

In case of suspicion, competent authorities must be notified as soon as possible. All suspect Tropilaelaps mite specimens should be immediately sent to the national reference laboratory and/or to the competent authority for confirmation and for the implementation of appropriate surveillance and control measures. A leaflet on Tropilaelaps spp. aimed at raising awareness among beekeepers is available on the EURL website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explanation of the legend for Figures 1, 2 & 3: Confirmed presence: the presence of Tropilaelaps spp. has been officially reported to the WOAH and/or documented in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Suspected presence: the presence of Tropilaelaps spp. has neither been officially reported to the WOAH nor published in a peer-reviewed journal. Instead, the information comes from informal sources such as beekeeping association websites, communications with scientists from affected countries, local media reports, or scientific publications in non–peer-reviewed journals.

Sources for Figures 1, 2 & 3: Anderson and Morgan 2007, Brandorf et al. 2024, Brandorf et al. 2025, Chantawannakul et al. 2016, de Guzman et al. 2017, Khokhlova 2023, Mohamadzade Namin et al. 2024, Joharchi and Stolbova 2024, Janashia et al. 2024, Goryachev and Kuzmich 2025, Sammataro et al. 2000, WOAH event notifications (WAHIS-WOAH consulted on 11 December 2025), information on the website of a local media outlet (regarding Azerbaijan) and personal communications with the Anses laboratory in Sophia Antipolis (regarding Georgia, Iran and Tajikistan).

 

References

Anderson, D. L.  and M. J. Morgan. 2007. "Genetic and morphological variation of bee-parasitic Tropilaelaps mites (Acari: Laelapidae): New and re-defined species." Experimental and Applied Acarology 43 (1): 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-007-9103-0.

 

Brandorf, Anna, Marija M. Ivoilova, Orlando Yañez, Peter Neumann and Victoria Soroker. 2024. "First report of established mite populations, Tropilaelaps mercedesae, in Europe." Journal of Apicultural Research: 1-3. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2024.2343976.

 

Brandorf A. Z., Xing’an L., Qingsheng N. 2025. “Infestation of Apis mellifera L. bee colonies by a mite of the genus Tropilaelaps spp. in the conditions of Russia.” Agrarnaya nauka Evro-Severo-Vostoka (Agricultural Science Euro-North-East): 26(3):663–670. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.30766/2072-9081.2025.26.3.663-670.

 

Chantawannakul, P., L. I. de Guzman, J. Li and G. R. Williams. 2016. "Parasites, pathogens, and pests of honeybees in Asia." Apidologie 47 (3): 301-324. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-015-0407-5.

 

de Guzman, L. I., G. R. Williams, K. Khongphinitbunjong and P. Chantawannakul. 2017. "Ecology, Life History, and Management of Tropilaelaps Mites." Journal of economic entomology 110 (2): 319-332. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/tow304.

 

Goryachev D.S. and Kuzmich E.G. 2025. Pests of honey bees in the Belarusian Lakeside Region.” Proceedings of an international scientific and practical conference for students, MScs, PhDs and young scientists, Vitebsk VGAVM 15-16 may 2025. (see pdf page 34)

 

Janashia, Irakli, Aleksandar Uzunov, Chao Chen, Cecilia Costa and Giovanni Cilia. 2024. "First report on Tropilaelaps mercedesae presence in Georgia: The mite is heading westward!" Journal of Apicultural Science. https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2024-0010.

 

Joharchi, O. and V. V. Stolbova. 2024. "The first report on the ectoparasitic genus Tropilaelaps (Acari: Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) in Russia." Persian Journal of Acarology 13 (3): 513-516. https://www.biotaxa.org/pja/article/view/85545.

 

Khokhlova О. 2023. “Infestation of Apis mellifera by ectoparasites Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps in the Crimea” Internauka 42 312:17–19. (see pdf page 18)

 

Mohamadzade Namin, Saeed, Omid Joharchi, Sunil Aryal, Ratna Thapa, Sun-Ho Kwon, Boymakhmat A. Kakhramanov and Chuleui Jung. 2024. "Exploring genetic variation and phylogenetic patterns of Tropilaelaps mercedesae (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae) populations in Asia." Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2024.1275995.

 

Sammataro, D., U. Gerson and G. Needham. 2000. "Parasitic mites of honey bees: life history, implications, and impact." Annu Rev Entomol 45: 519-48. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ento.45.1.519.

 

World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Consulted on 11/12/2025. World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS).

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[1] French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety