Mapping parasite and predator diversity in Asian honey bee populations

Honey bees (Apis) face a diverse and evolving array of natural enemies, including parasitic mites and predatory wasps. These threats pose significant challenges not only to both wild and managed Apis populations globally, as invasive species continue to cross borders. Understanding the diversity and distribution of these antagonists is essential for improving honey bee health and biosecurity worldwide. This presentation will share findings from ongoing collaborative research investigating the parasites and predators of honey bees across multiple regions in Asia. Field surveys conducted in Bangladesh, India, Japan, Mongolia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand targeted apiaries and wild colonies of Apis species, with specimens analyzed for the presence of mites (Varroa, Tropilaelaps), predatory hornets (Vespa), and emerging pathogens. Emphasis will be placed on diagnostic approaches and geographic variation, including preliminary insights into mite distribution. This work contributes to broader efforts to monitor invasive species and inform sustainable management practices in both native and introduced honey bee populations. By integrating entomological fieldwork with international collaboration, this research highlights the importance of cross-border surveillance in an era of accelerating species movement and agricultural interdependence.