[1] These mites usually kill young bee larvae and feed on provisioned pollen and nectar.

In nests without partitions (Lithurgus), some young bees may complete development and transform to adults that disperse the mites.

Cross-nest dispersal via blueberry flowers visited by multiple individuals of O. cornifrons was proven to be negligible.

They cause no direct harm, but large mite loads may affect the bee's flying abilities and survival.

The inert deutonymph is a highly regressive, cyst-like morph with legs and most setae greatly reduced.