Abstract

The mite that parasitizes European honeybees (Apis mellifera L.), previously known as Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans 1904, stems from an Asian mainland population of ectoparasites of eastern honeybees (Apis cerana Fab.). The mites of this Asian population are now identified as Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman 2000, based on a morphological and molecular study of female specimens collected throughout the world including Asia (but not Iran). The present study was carried out to determine whether V. destructor occurs in apiaries in Tehran Province. Ninety female mites were collected from three apiaries in Tehran province during summer and autumn 2003. These apiaries were classified according to the altitude of their location: lower than 1000 m, 1000-1500 m and higher than 1500 m. Morphology of the mites was studied using light microscopy. Measurements of mite specimens were obtained from 90 females prepared in Faur liquid on glass microslides. Data were analyzed statistically using SAS. Bodies measuredat the various altitudes are presented as 95% confidence intervals, expressed in micrometers (length x width); under 1000 m altitude: 1152.6-1218.9 x 1709.8-1818.2, between 1000 to 1500 m: 1163.2-1220.7 x 1712.1-1819.5, and over 1500 m: 1167.1-1228.3 x 1720.4-1820.6. Mean values are 1197.2 x 1775.6, 1199.2 x 1781.7 and 1200.1 x 1789.9, respectively. Comparisons of measurements of body lengths and widths revealed that there is no significant difference among the three regions. The specimens collected in Tehran Province were different from V. jacobsoni, their morphometric characteristics fit better with V. destructor and they are less spherical than V. jacobsoni.