Infestation phenology of Tropilaelaps clareae Delfinado and Baker and Acarapis woodi (Rennie) in Apis mellifera L. and Apis cerana Fab

Infestation of brood by Tropilaelaps chlareae as well as the mite mortality attained two peaks during June–July and October–November in Apis melifera. Acarapis woodi infestation remained considerably low during March to May and high during October–November in A. mellifera as well as in A. cerana. Strong correlation appeared between acarine infested bees and maximum number of mites per trachea in both the spp. of honeybees. Confinement of bees in the colony either due to rain or cold or the conditions unfaviourable to colony development may enhance mite infestation in the colonies.