TY  - JOUR
JF  - Acarologia
T1  - Unique bumblebee-phoretic mite associations from a pristine environment of North Wales, UK
VL  - 66
IS  - Suppl
SP  - 70
EP  - 70
PY  - 2026
SN  - 0044-586X
SN  - 2107-7207
PB  - Les Amis d'Acarologia
AU  - M. Alejandra, Perotti
AU  - Henk R, Braig
AU  - Dave, Goulson
UR  - https://doi.org/10.24349/oguj-iom9
DO  - 10.24349/oguj-iom9
DA  - 2026-07-20
ET  - 2026-07-20
KW  - Phoresy
KW  - Pollinator
KW  - Bombidae
AB  - Bumblebees, Bombus (Hymenoptera) are associated with a broad variety of phoretic mites, with the most studied species belonging to the genera Parasitellus (Mesostigmata: Parasitidae), Scutacarus (Prostigmata: Scutacaridae), and Kuzinia (Astigmata: Acaridae). In a first-of-its-kind study on the diversity of phoretic mites of Bombus populations of the hills bordering Snowdonia Mountains, North Wales, we identified a large variety of morpho-species of Bombus phoretic mites, previously unknown for the UK and most of Europe. Preliminary analyses of the dynamics of Bombus-Acari associations showed rare patterns of interaction. As an example, Laelapidae were more numerous and prevalent than the expected Parasitidae. The novelty of the findings will be discussed in relation to the particular environmental conditions of this pristine location. This is an area consistently isolated from the frequent releases (from populations abroad) of Bombus terrestris for pollinator services. The study allowed us to know and understand this endemic fauna of the hills of North Wales.
ER -