U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 close



Research
                Research Home
                            National Programs
                            Research Projects
                            Scientific Manuscripts
                            International Engagement
                            Scientific Software/Models
                            Databases and Datasets
                            Office of Scientific Quality Review
            Media
                News & Features
                            Multimedia
                            Briefing Room
                            Down on the Farm
                            Press Room
                            Science in Your Shopping Cart
                            Scientific Discoveries
                            Tellus
                            Under the Microscope
            About ARS
                About ARS Home
                            Staff Directory
                            Labs and Research Centers (Map)
                            Headquarter Offices
                            Organizational Chart
                            Employee Services (REE Employees Only)
                            Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity
            Work With Us
                Work With Us Home
                            ARS Vacancies at USAJOBS
                            Careers at ARS Information
                            Scientific Collaborations
                            Extramural Agreements
                            1890 Faculty Research Sabbatical ProgramSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Evans, Jayitem
                                            Pettis, Jefferyitem
                                            Smith Jr, Irving
  Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
                                    Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 4/10/2007
                                    Publication  Date: 7/9/2007
                                    Citation: Evans, J.D., Pettis, J.S., Smith Jr, I.B. 2007. Diagnostic genetic test for the honey bee tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi. Journal of Apicultural Research. 46(3):1-5.Interpretive Summary: Honey bees and beekeepers face significant challenges from two important parasitic mite species, Varroa destructor  and Acarapis woodi.  Of these two, the tracheal mite A. woodi presents a more significant diagnostic challenge, since these mites are microscopic and spend most of their life inside adult bees.  To better identify and characterize tracheal mites we have developed a genetic diagnostic test similar to that used for other honey bee pests and pathogens.  The test is highly sensitive, picking up even individual mites.  Along with providing a new research tool for those studying tracheal mites, this test could provide an alternate method of diagnosing this important disease, aiding beekeepers seeking to make management decisions.
                                Technical Abstract: The tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi, has become a worldwide pest of honey bees.  Identification and description of A. woodi is hampered by the minute size of these mites, their cryptic lifestyle, and a general lack of strong morphological differences with relatives.  Here we describe a diagnostic genetic test for these mites, based on the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene.  The test is highly specific and sensitive, on par with expert dissections of honey bee trachea.  We further describe a nested-PCR approach that is capable of detecting even single mites.  This diagnostic test can complement and expand upon existing methods and offers a new opportunity to explore taxonomic and population-genetic questions in tracheal mites.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov