NEW to our range

• On the threshold of your apiary
• Tropilaelaps Mercedesae - biology, pathology, detection and control
• Hardcover, 87 pages
• Format 17.2 x 24.2 cm

Book details

Publisher´s text

THE FIRST BOOK ON TROPILAELAPS MILBE: In this groundbreaking guide to Tropilaelaps mercedesae, readers will find an indispensable new handbook that addresses a rapidly growing threat to European and global beekeeping. The authors provide a concise yet thorough examination of the mite's biology and its pathological effects on honey bee colonies, and offer clear, actionable strategies for early detection. Special attention is given to control methods, particularly biotechnical and chemical-free approaches.

Richly illustrated and enriched with QR codes for video demonstrations, the book transforms complex techniques into easy-to-understand step-by-step instructions. Whether you are looking for insights into the biology, detection or control of Tropilaelaps mites, each chapter presents the latest research summarized into practical advice. These recommendations are based on extensive laboratory and field trials conducted in Georgia, Thailand and China.

At the center of the book is a team whose combined beekeeping experience spans more than a century. Maggie, Alex, Marin and lrakli are scientists - but above all they are beekeepers. Their collective expertise has led to the development of innovative detection tools and control strategies, bridging the gap between scientific research and practical beekeeping. Driven by the urgency of this new parasitic threat, their collaboration described in this book provides the global beekeeping community with the knowledge and tools needed for an effective response.

"The parasitic mite Tropilaelaps is spreading worldwide and could soon be coming to a beekeeping operation near you! This book by Gill, Uzunov, Janashia and Kovačić is a great way to familiarize yourself with this pest of honey bees and be better prepared if it shows up in your area."

~Jeff Pettis (President of Apimondia)

Author: Maggie Gill

Maggie Gill has more than 20 years of experience in beekeeping and pollinator research. She has a degree in Natural Sciences and a Masters in Entomology. Her research includes chemical and nutritional analysis of nectar, monitoring volatile organic compounds in honey bee colonies for early pest and disease detection, and Tropilaelaps monitoring and survival studies. She is currently a senior scientist at the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), where she specializes in pollinator monitoring as part of agroecological agricultural research programmes. She previously worked for a decade at the National Bee Unit, first as a seasonal bee inspector and later as regional bee inspector for Wales.

Author: Dr. Aleksandar Uzunov

Dr. Aleksandar Uzunov has dedicated his work and research to honey bees for 30 years, focusing primarily on breeding, conservation, reproductive biology and Varroa mite control. More recently, he has been involved in research projects on Tropilaelaps mites in China and Georgia, focusing on their biology, detection methods and biotechnical control techniques. Alex is the author of numerous scientific papers and Books on these topics. He is a professor and head of the Bee Lab at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Nutrition at the University of St. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, Macedonia. Since 2023, he has also been a consultant at the Bee Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Beijing, China.

Author: Dr. Irakli Janashia

Dr. Irakli Janashia is a veterinarian and honey bee researcher based in western Georgia, where he also keeps bees himself - a passion that began in his childhood. With a PhD in Biology and a Masters in Veterinary Medicine, he specializes in honey bee health and parasitic diseases. Irakli teaches beekeeping and infectious diseases at the Agricultural University of Georgia and regularly conducts seminars for beekeepers. His research work has focused on Tropilaelaps mercedesae, Varroa destructor and the gut microbiota of honey bees, contributing to both national guidelines and international studies on bee health and protection.

Author: Dr. Marin Kovačić

Dr. Marin Kovačić is a third generation beekeeper. He studied animal science and received his PhD in Apidology with specialization in honey bee breeding and selection. He currently works as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences in Osijek, Croatia, and manages one of the largest queen bee breeding farms in Europe. His scientific work focuses in particular on honey bee resistance to Varroa destructor, the application of biotechnical methods for Varroa control and honey bee parasitology, with an emphasis on integrated approaches to maintaining public health.