Nidicolous mites associated with Bombus niveatus Kriechbaumer (Hymenoptera, Apidae) in Iran

Abstract

We collected mites from a subterranean nest (80 cm deep) of the snowy bumble-bee Bombus niveatus Kriechbaumer, in the Sabalan Mountains, Iran.  The following five mite species were identified: Parasitellus fucorum, Kuzinia laevis, Proctolaelaps longisetosus, Pneumolaelaps colomboi, Pneumolaelaps hyatti. Of them, the most abundant species was Pneumolaelaps hyatti. Here in, various and some useful information about each species are discussed.