Answer :
Final answer:
The original host of the Varroa mite, which is a severe parasite of honey bees known for feeding on hemolymph and transmitting diseases, is the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana.
Explanation:
The original host of the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is not explicitly mentioned in the provided references but is widely recognized to be the Asian honey bee, Apis cerana. These mites are a significant parasite of honey bees, notorious for sucking hemolymph from both adults and juvenile bees, and are comparable in their impact to a dinner plate-sized mosquito attacking a human. The Varroa mite is also responsible for transmitting other pathogens that weaken the bees's immune system, contributing further to colony decline.
