New Delhi, Sept. 11 -- Summary A new honey-bee parasite, Tropilaelaps mercedesae, is spreading globally.

It poses a greater threat than the notorious Varroa destructor.

This mite reproduces rapidly within capped brood cells, leading to faster colony collapse.

Current control methods are inadequate, and its spread could severely impact global agriculture reliant on bee pollination.

For decades, beekeepers have fought a tiny parasite called Varroa destructor, which has devastated honey-bee colonies around the world. But an even deadlier mite, Tropilaelaps mercedesae - or "tropi" - is on the march.

Beekeepers fear it will wreak even greater havoc than varroa - and the ripple effects may be felt by the billions of people around the world...