Varroa Mite Scientific Name and Classification: What You Need to Know
Varroa jacobsoni was incorrectly classified as the same species as Varroa destructor until a taxonomic revision in 2000. That taxonomic error matters more than it might seem for a practical beekeeper, because the treatment research and management strategies developed over the past 60 years were based on understanding which species we were actually dealing with, and for a significant part of that history, researchers thought they were studying one species when they were actually studying two.
TL;DR
- Varroa destructor reproduces exclusively in capped honey bee brood cells, preferring drone brood 8:1 over worker brood
- The mite's reproductive cycle is synchronized with the bee pupal stage: females enter cells just before capping
- A single founding female can produce 1-2 reproductive daughters per brood cycle when conditions are favorable
- Phoretic mites (those on adult bees) are the only life stage killed by most varroa treatments
- Understanding the lifecycle explains why treatments targeting only phoretic mites need multiple applications
- Mite populations can double every 4-6 weeks during peak brood rearing season
The Scientific Name
Varroa destructor is the species that parasitizes European honey bees (Apis mellifera). This is the varroa that beekeepers in North America, Europe, Australia, and most of the world are managing. It arrived in the United States in 1987 and is now present in all 50 states except, as of the most recent surveys, some outer Hawaiian islands.
Varroa jacobsoni is a different species that parasitizes Asian honey bees (Apis cerana). V. jacobsoni does not parasitize European honey bees successfully in most populations, though some geographically isolated strains have made the host jump.
Taxonomy and Classification
Complete taxonomic classification of Varroa destructor:
| Level | Classification |
|-------|---------------|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Mesostigmata |
| Family | Varroidae |
| Genus | Varroa |
| Species | Varroa destructor |
The key fact: varroa mites are arachnids, not insects. They're more closely related to spiders and ticks than to bees. This is relevant for treatment chemistry: acaricides (treatments that kill mites) are distinct from insecticides (treatments that kill insects), which is why many varroa treatments can be applied to bee colonies without killing the bees.
The 2000 Taxonomic Revision
For decades before 2000, all varroa in honey bee colonies worldwide were classified as Varroa jacobsoni. The name made sense because the mite was first described from Asian honey bee colonies in Java, Indonesia.
When Anderson and Trueman (2000) conducted a molecular and morphological analysis of varroa specimens from across the world, they found that the mites parasitizing European honey bees were genetically and morphologically distinct from the original V. jacobsoni collected from Asian bees. The European honey bee parasite was given the new species name Varroa destructor.
This wasn't just a naming exercise. The two species differ in their reproductive success on European honey bees, their responses to treatment protocols, and their genetic structure. Understanding which species you're dealing with is foundational to the research behind every treatment recommendation.
Most of the research on varroa resistance, treatment thresholds, and management strategies conducted from the 1960s through 2000 was conducted on what we now call Varroa destructor. The post-2000 revision confirmed that the right management research was being done on the right species.
Varroa Destructor Haplotypes
Varroa destructor itself has two main genetic haplotypes: the Korea haplotype and the Japan haplotype. Most varroa in North America and Europe belongs to the Korea haplotype. The Japan haplotype is found in some Asian populations. The two haplotypes have slight differences in reproductive biology but are treated the same way in management programs.
What Bees Does Each Species Parasitize?
- Varroa destructor: European honey bees (Apis mellifera) and, to a limited extent, some Asian honey bee populations. The primary target in global beekeeping.
- Varroa jacobsoni: Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) as the natural host. Some populations of V. jacobsoni have made a partial host shift to A. mellifera, particularly in Papua New Guinea and neighboring islands. This is an area of ongoing research concern.
- Other Varroa species: Several other Varroa species (V. rindereri, V. underwoodi, V. kohli) parasitize other Apis species but do not pose significant risk to managed European honey bee populations.
For the complete guide to varroa biology including reproductive cycle, immune interactions, and management implications, see our varroa mite biology page. For the specific identification between Varroa destructor and related species, see our what is Varroa destructor guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scientific name of the varroa mite?
The varroa mite that parasitizes European honey bees (Apis mellifera) worldwide is Varroa destructor. It is an arachnid in the family Varroidae, order Mesostigmata. A closely related but distinct species, Varroa jacobsoni, parasitizes Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) and was incorrectly identified as the same species as V. destructor until 2000.
Is Varroa destructor the same species as Varroa jacobsoni?
No. They were considered the same species until Anderson and Trueman's 2000 molecular analysis revealed they are genetically and morphologically distinct. Varroa destructor is the species that infests European honey bees. Varroa jacobsoni is the ancestral parasite of Asian honey bees. The misclassification persisted for decades because varroa was initially described from Asian bee hosts before its host jump to European bees was studied.
What bees does each varroa species parasitize?
Varroa destructor successfully parasitizes European honey bees (Apis mellifera) and is responsible for the global varroa crisis in managed beekeeping. Varroa jacobsoni naturally parasitizes Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) and, in its typical form, cannot successfully reproduce on European honey bees. Some isolated populations of V. jacobsoni have made a partial host jump to A. mellifera in parts of southeast Asia and the Pacific, which is a subject of ongoing research.
How do I know if my varroa treatment is working?
Run a mite count 2-4 weeks after the treatment ends and compare it to your pre-treatment count. The efficacy formula is: ((pre-count - post-count) / pre-count) x 100. A result above 90% indicates effective treatment. Results below 80% should trigger investigation for possible resistance, application error, or reinfestation. Log both counts in VarroaVault to track efficacy trends across treatment cycles.
How often should I check mite levels in my hives?
At minimum, once per month (every 3-4 weeks) during the active season. Increase to every 2 weeks when counts are near threshold or after a treatment to verify it worked. In fall, monitoring frequency matters most because the window to treat before winter bees are raised is narrow. VarroaVault's monitoring reminders can be set to your preferred interval for each apiary.
What records should I keep for varroa management?
Each record should include: date of count or treatment, hive identifier, monitoring method used, number of bees sampled, mites counted, infestation percentage, treatment product name and EPA registration number, dose applied, treatment start and end dates, and PHI end date. State apiarists typically expect this level of detail during inspections. VarroaVault captures all of these fields in a single log entry.
Sources
- American Beekeeping Federation (ABF)
- USDA ARS Bee Research Laboratory
- Honey Bee Health Coalition
- Penn State Extension Apiculture Program
- Project Apis m.
Get Started with VarroaVault
The information in this guide is most useful when you have your own mite count data to apply it to. VarroaVault stores every count, flags threshold crossings automatically, and builds the treatment history you need for state inspections and effective management decisions. Start your free trial at varroavault.com.