Tropilaelaps mite: alarm for bee health in Europe

In Türkiye, near the border with Georgia, a mite has been detected that can threaten the health of bees in Europe. The report, still not officially confirmed by the Ankara authorities, comes after the same animal (Tropilaelaps mercedesae) was found in Georgia in 2024 and in Russia in 2025.

It is therefore possible that the parasite is expanding westward. The alarm was raised by the National Reference Center for Beekeeping of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Venice, which participates in the international surveillance of the parasite.

"The current situation should be considered a wake-up call for European veterinary and beekeeping authorities - states the director of the Centre, Franco Mutinelli -. The possible presence of T. mercedesae in Turkey increases the risk of its further spread towards Eastern Europe and, subsequently, even further west. Information and prevention should therefore not start after the first confirmed introduction in Europe, but before the mite reaches European territory".