MITES ASSOCIATED WITH HONEYBEE, APIS MELLIFERA IN EGYPT

In the present study, an intensive survey of hive debris, honeybee brood combs, bee-collected pollen, live and dead adult bees was carried out during two successive years 2005-2006, throughout Egyptian Governorates. For determining the incidence, diversity, host associations and ecological distribution of mites associated with honeybees. Data proved the occurrence of 42 mite species belonging to 4 suborders: Mesostigmata, Prostigmata, Astigmata and Cryptostigmata and 19 families associated with honeybees in Egypt, in duding house guests, phoretic, and parasitic. Van^- a desbvctor and Acarapis woodi are the most important parasitic species. A list of all recorded species is given with their geographic distribution and information on economic Importance and type of association is provided. The majority of these species were rarely collected from hives, hives products and honey combs, as well as plant and soil mites and incidental visitors.