Acarapis woodi and Varroa destructor identification in Apis mellifera using exogenous DNA from hive debris

The aim of the study is to obtain genetic information on circulating haplotypes of A. woodi and V. destructor using exogenous DNA from selected apiaries in the Republic of Tatarstan. Objectives: to determine the level of V. destructor and A. woodi infection in selected apiaries in the districts of the Republic of Tatarstan using circulating haplotypes and to detect traces of infection in honey bee colonies using exogenous DNA from hive debris. The objects of the study were A. woodi and V. destructor in A. mellifera colonies in selected apiaries in the Republic of Tatarstan in 2024. Bees of the A. m. mellifera and A. m. carnica subspecies were collected in 13 districts of the Republic of Tatarstan from March to June 2024. Low levels of V. destructor mite infestation were recorded in one apiary in one district; one new haplotype similar to those isolated in other countries was detected; low levels of A. woodi mite infestation were recorded in two apiaries in two districts; one haplotype identical to those isolated in other countries and one unique haplotype were detected; despite high efficiency of beekeeping practices in the Republic of Tatarstan, exogenous DNA of hive debris allowed detection of traces of mite infestation (mtDNA cox1 gene) in honey bee colonies in six apiaries in six districts; a relationship was found between detection of A. woodi and V. destructor mtDNA cox1 gene in exogenous DNA of hive debris and the A. m. mellifera subspecies in the studied colonies.