Modeling is one approach to better understanding the complex interaction in the abstracted and simplified forms. Here I present the interaction of honeybee, Apis mellifera and ectoparasitic mites of Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps mercedesae. In the beginning, I provide the basic mechanism of ectoparasitic mite’s life cycle in association with the host insect life. Population behavior was analyzed as a single analytical population growth model. Then, since the carrying capacity of mite’s breeding resources are changing, I incorporated the damage function of mite to honeybee population. Incorporating the damage function into the honeybee-varroa interaction model provided more realistic behavior of both species. Simulation study showed that possible beneficial impact of hive-splitting on mite control. Also, varying the chemical spray timing and efficacies, the model simulation revealed that early spring acaricide treatment was essential for protection of honeybee from the varroa mites. At the last, this model has been expanded to include the other parasitic mite of Tropilaelaps mercedesae. For this, two species competition model was considered as well as incorporation of the host population behavior being added. Further discussion and call for collaboration were presented.

• Chuleui Jung(Andong National University, Andong)