Which of the following is the tracheal mite affecting honeybees (Acarapis woodii)?

• A. Varroa mite
• B. Tropilaelaps mite
• C. Aethina timida beetle
• D. Acarapsis woodi (tracheal mite)

Answer: (D)

The essential idea here is identifying a parasite that specifically lives in the honey bee’s respiratory system. Acarapis woodii is the tracheal mite, residing inside the bee’s tracheal tubes and impairing breathing, which can weaken colonies. This makes it the correct option because the name refers to the mite that actually inhabits the tracheae.

The other organisms listed are not tracheal mites: Varroa destructor is an external mite that feeds on bee hemolymph on the outside of bees and in brood areas; Tropilaelaps species are also external mites affecting bees but not in the tracheae; Aethina tumida is the small hive beetle, a beetle rather than a mite.