THE OCCURRENCE OF VARROA-UNDERWOODI (ACARINA, VARROIDAE) IN PAPUA-NEW-GUINEA AND INDONESIA

The findings reported here contribute to what is currently known about the geographical distribution, host range and reproduction of the ect oparasitic mite, Varroa underwoodi. Female V underwoodi and their nymp hal offspring were collected from sealed drone cells in Apis cerana co lonies in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Indonesian provinces of Java, Su lawesi and Irian Jaya, and the Indonesian islands of Biak and Yapen. G ravid female V underwoodi were also collected from newly capped drone cells in A nigrocincta colonies in Sulawesi. Adult female V underwoodi , showing no signs of reproduction, were collected from capped worker cells in A mellifera colonies in PNG. On the basis of morphological st ructures, the adult female V underwoodi specimens from PNG and Indones ia were indistinguishable from V underwoodi specimens described from o ther localities.