The Varroa destructor mite was originally associated with the Eastern honeybee. It is said to have been introduced to Siberia,  where it began parasitizing the Western honeybee and eventually spread across Europe. It is said to have arrived in New Zealand over 10 years ago, although the  exact route of entry is unclear. It is speculated that the mite entered via the importation of queen bees and other bees. This 1–2 millimeter mite invades the brood cell during the pupal stage and feeds on the pupae’s bodily fluids. As a result, the adult bee that emerges may suffer from deformities, be unable to fly, or lose its ability to perform essential tasks such as  nursing the next generation of bees. 

Moreover, since they transmit viral diseases, they are true enemy of honeybees.
 Various methods for controlling  this pest have been proposed, but complete eradication is incredibly difficult. Ultimately, the best defense against the mite is to nurture strong,  healthy colonies of bees. Currently, there is ongoing research into introducing natural predators of the mite, such as a species of mite-eating spider called Chelifer.  This spider is very small and resembles a scorpion. The tips of its pincers contain venom, which paralyzes the mites. It is said that a single  Chelifer can consume up to 10 mites per day. Since these spiders are unaffected by the chemical pesticides used against the mites, they  are being considered for use in combination with these treatments.