Episode 40 - We talk to Dr. Jeff Pettis about the Tropilaelaps mite and what to know about this threat

I know, two episodes in two weeks? Well, episode 40 is here, and this one is big.

We sat down with Dr. Jeff Pettis, former President of Apimondia and one of the world's leading honey bee researchers, for an in-depth conversation about the Tropilaelaps mite—the parasitic threat looming over global beekeeping.

In this episode:

• What Tropilaelaps mites are and how they differ from Varroa
• Why they spread so rapidly and how countries currently battling them (like South Korea) are coping
• What would happen if Tropilaelaps arrived in the United States—the realistic short- and long-term impacts
• Early detection, containment strategies, and the U.S. preparedness gap
• What beekeepers can do right now to stay informed and ready

This is one of our most important interviews to date, offering clear-eyed insight from a scientist who has studied global bee health for decades.

Tune in, learn what's coming, and help shape the conversation about protecting honey bees in North America.

Apimondia Tropilaelaps Mite Talk: https://www.apimondia.org/mites-webinar.html

North American Honeybee Expo: https://www.nahbexpo.com/

Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Jk6hyZAY

Randy Oliver Mite Calculator Calendar: https://scientificbeekeeping.com/randys-varroa-model/

How RRA Makes Fondant: https://youtu.be/CAiOF3onmBQ

The American Bee Journal: https://americanbeejournal.com/

Project Apis m. Bee Survey Video 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOCis4ZPfp8

Project Apis m. Website: https://www.projectapism.org/events/i8yr94doxarjvh453lchfhr0xf3bvq

Riverview Road Apiary Nucs: https://riverviewroadapiary.com/products/spring-2025-nuc

Heart of Illinois Beekeeping Club: https://hoibees.org/

Dalan Animal Health Queens: https://bluetoad.com/publication/?m=5417&i=830245&p=38&ver=html5

Beekeeping Buddies Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/beekeepingbuddies/

Fruit and Vegetable Pollination Handbook: https://www.ars.usda.gov/arsuserfiles/20220500/onlinepollinationhandbook.pdf