Challenge #21 The common European honeybee, Apis mellifera, was introduced into North America in the early 1600's. In the late 1980s and the 1990s it appeared to be in danger of disappearing across most of this nation and from other countries of the world. What type of small parasitic insect is responsible for this dramatic destruction of both feral and commercial populations? Stumper Answer: Two parasitic mites: a tracheal mite and the Varroa mite. Commercial hives can be treated to control the mites but it is not practical to try to treat wild colonies with chemicals. As this stumper is being written the honeybee populations are beginning to return to normal. Strains resistant to the mites are appearing and the commercial beekeepe's remedies are being successful. REFERENCE and an image of a mite! Correct answer received from: Tom Weidman, Sue, David, Jeff, Cindie, Brownie, Dave, lutz, Jenny, Stephen Warshaw, John H., Ron Youngs, Tajma, Derv, john4ale, E.B., Karla, Dave, tim, Kevin,