Infestation of Pyemotes tritici (acari: Pyemotidae) on Melipona colimana (hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae): A case study [Infestación de pyemotes tritici (acari: Pyemotidae) en Melipona colimana (hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponinae): Estudio de caso]

Abstract

A colony of Melipona colimana was infested by Pyemotes tritici, leading that colony to abscond. The association between such species is recorded for the first time; P. tritici is defined as a parasitoid. It is hypothesized that the infestation was originated from infested Passalid beetles or ants entering the colony. This novel association is considered an important risk to meliponine bees and Apis mellifera.