This scientific note presents a state of play of the geographical distribution and spread of Tropilaelaps spp. mites, parasite of bees and exotic in the European Union (EU) in March 2025. It can be downloaded as a pdf here.   It has been initially published in French on the website of the French Animal Health Epidemiological Surveillance Platform on 3rd March 2025. It was translated into English and updated following the detection of Tropilaelaps spp. in Azerbaijan.   Highlights  Geographical spread of Tropilaelaps spp. mites occured in the last decade. Detection of Tropilaelaps mercedesae in territories close to the European Union: presence in the Russian regions of Krasnodar and Rostov (close to Ukraine and Georgia) since 2021 at least, and in Georgia since 2023 at least. Increased risk of introduction into the EU due to the geographical spread of the parasite and climatic conditions favouring its survival. Among the two species of Tropilaelaps identified in Apis mellifera, T. mercedesae has the larger geographical distribution. Phylogenetic data provide a better understanding of the links between the different introductions, but still need to be consolidated. Data source Data extracted on 14 March 2024 of the World Animal Health Information System of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WAHIS-WOAH). Scientific publications (see at the end) Informal sources (e.g. beekeeping associations’ websites, exchanges with scientists from concerned countries).   Note to readers: Few health events on Tropilaelaps spp. are reported to WOAH. Most of the data analysed in this article come from scientific publications and come from studies conducted in the framework of research projects and not from official surveillance systems. These data were collected according to different protocols and do not allow a detailed and comparable analysis of the health situation in each country. Since the European Union (EU) is currently free of Tropilaelaps spp., no data came from the EU Animal Disease Information System (ADIS).   Tropilaelaps mites are external parasites of bees, originating from Asia. They reproduce and feed in the brood on bee larvae and pupae. They cause weakening, hive desertions, colony mortality and potentially significant production losses. Since Tropilaelaps depends on bee brood for its food, its survival time on adult bees and in bee matrices (e.g. pollen, royal jelly, honey, hive frame) is short (around 3 to 6 days) (Franco and Duquesne 2024).   Four species of Tropilaelaps have been described: T. clareae, T. koenigerum, T. mercedesae and T. thaï. Originally, each species tends to be associated with a giant Asian honeybee, such as Apis dorsata, Apis laboriosa and Apis breviligula. Currently, only T. mercedesae and T. clareae reproduce on Apis mellifera brood, the honeybee of European origin. These species have adapted to this new host, in which they can reproduce and ensure their parasitic cycles (de Guzman et al. 2017).   Infestation of honey bees with Tropilaelaps spp. mites is included in the list of diseases of Apinae of the WOAH. The WOAH member states are required to provide information on their health situation via the WAHIS system.   The European Union, which is free from this exotic parasitosis, regulates this disease for bees of the genus Apis. Infestation with Tropilaelaps spp. is listed in categories D and E in the EU Regulation 2018/1882 and in accordance with the Animal Health Law (EU Regulation 2016/429). Its presence must be notified.   Evolution of the geographical distribution Description Tropilaelaps spp. mites were first identified in the 1960s in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia where their primary hosts, giant honeybees, live. Delfinado and Baker first described this mite in the Philippines in 1961 (Delfinado and Baker 1961). Since then, its observation in Asia has continued to increase. However, the precise geographical distribution of Tropilaelaps and its different species remains relatively poorly understood; only a few studies exist on the subject (Figure 1 and 2). The species T. mercedesae is the most widespread in Asia. It is present in areas with a tropical climate as well as a temperate climate (Figure 2). Tropilaelaps mercedesae has been confused with T. clareae for a long time. T. clareae is the other species infesting A. mellifera and it has only been reported in the Philippines (except the Palawan Islands) and Indonesia (de Guzman et al. 2017). The geographical range of T. clareae is therefore much smaller than the geographical range of T. mercedesae (Figure 2).   Figure 1 Geographical distribution of the two Tropilaelaps species not observed in...

  Last week, Petru Jitaru attended the European Winter Plasma Conference in Berlin, where he presented the first results about the analysis of Trace elements in fish side-streams.   This work was well received, standing out as the only research of its kind at the conference and highlighting the novelty of this topic.      

An outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease has been reported in Hungary in domestic cattle. The outbreak is located in the North-west of the country in the administrative zone of Győr-Moson-Sopron. This is the second case in the EU in 2025 after the outbreak in Germany in January. Restriction zones have been set up around the outbreak and animals have been slaughtered. Following sequencing, the strain responsible for the infection was identified : O/ME-SA/PanAsia2/ANT10. For more information: https://portal.nebih.gov.hu/-/megjelent-a-ragados-szaj-es-koromfajas-betegseg-magyarorszagon; WAHIS

This week we welcomed Deborah MARTIN as the new postdoc in the Pesticides and Biotoxins unit (ANSES).   She will focus on non-target screening of organic contaminants in the 3 value chains of this project: seafood, potatoes, and oilseeds.   Deborah is not a stranger to our lab, as she previously completed a postdoc in the same unit, and we’re excited to have her back!    Welcome Deborah in the Up4Food team !     

  We are pleased to let you know that the final version of our article Genetic relatedness of Staphylococcus aureus isolates within food outbreaks by single nucleotide polymorphisms is now available online, containing full bibliographic details. To help you access and share this work, a URL is provided for 50 days' free access.

The Centre is celebrating the publication of its ninth scientific article as a result of the work carried out in Activity 3 in 2023-2024.   The aim of this study was to study the relevant indicators of consciousness after head-only electrical stunning in rabbits in commercial conditions.   This article named "Relevant Indicators of Consciousness After Head-Only Electrical Stunning in Rabbits, Stunning Efficiency, and Risk Factors in Commercial Conditions" has been published in Animals and is available here.

In 2025, two proficiency tests (PTs) will be organised by the EURL. PT on the detection and identification of Paenibacillus larvae/Melissococcus plutonius Methods evaluated: Microscopic examination Molecular detection Culture Matrix: Crushed bee larvae Provisional agenda: June / July 2025 PT on Small Hive Beetle identification Methods evaluated: Morphology (EURL method: ANSES/SOP/ANA-I1.MOA.1500) PCR (EU RL method: ANA-I1.MOA.3700) Provisional agenda: postponed to 2026

December 2024 Newsletter to the attention of the NRLs for VMPR of Antimicrobials and Dyes in food from animal origin

Method for the detection and confirmatory quantification of five nitrofuran metabolite residues in biological matrices using LC-MS/MS ANSES/LMV/19/01 - V5 of December 2024 And Method for the detection and quantification of residues of prohibited veterinary medicines in casings using LC-MS/MS F/CHIM/SM/PTC/036 - V1 of January 2025

June 3-6, 2025 Residues of pharmacologically active substances in food, feed and environment, within the One Health concept TRACES 2025 - TRACES