A mite, called the Tracheal mite, which infests the bees’ breathing or tracheal system; sometimes called Acarine Disease, this refers to bees that are heavily infested with the Tracheal mite.

Acarapis woodi is a mite that is an internal parasite of honey bees. It lives and reproduces in the tracheal tubes of the bees. The mites pierce the tracheal tube walls with their mouthparts and feed on the haemolymph of the bees.