Honey bee mite (Varroa destructor), light micrograph. Varroa are parasitic mites that attack honey bees (Apis sp.), causing varroatosis and spreading

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Honey bee mite (Varroa destructor), light micrograph. Varroa are parasitic mites that attack honey bees (Apis sp.), causing varroatosis and spreading other diseases. They attach to the body of the bee and weaken it by sucking haemolymph, the insect's 'blood'. In doing this the mites can spread many viruses, including Deformed Wing Virus, to the bee. A significant mite infestation will lead to the death of a honey bee colony and may be a contributing factor to Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Magnification: x40 when printed at 10 centimetres wide.

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Size: 4288px × 2848px
Photo credit: © SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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