Detection of honeybee tracheal mites ( Acarapis woodi) by simple staining techniques

A total of 12 staining techniques, including five anionic and five cationic stains, and two mordant stains, were tested as possible histopathological methods for the detection of the honeybee tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi. The cationic stains stained the parasitic mites intensively and the ensheathing tracheae weakly positive in thin thoracic sections. The improved clarity and contrast of the stained mites within the tracheae in the thin thoracic sections facilitated the detection process. Even at very low levels of infestation, stained mites were detected easily and accurately under a dissecting microscope at a magnification as low as 10 ×. Consequently, examination of dissected trachae under a phase compound microscope, currently used for diagnosis of the mites, is no longer necessary. The stained specimen can also be mounted permanently on microslides.