The respiratory apparatus of the femaleVarroa jacobsoni parasite of bees appears typically tracheal, as those of the Insecta and other Arachnida. The description is realized by means of S.E.M. (peritreme, stigma, tracheal trunk) and by means of optical microscopy after injection of cobalt naphthenat through the stigma. The latter stage is followed by dissection. From the atrium extends the short main trunk, quickly divided into 5 anterior tracheae and 4 posterior tracheae. Anastomoses, joining the left side to the right, are present at three levels. The function of the peritremal tube remains obscure. Therefore the breathing of the parasite is independent of its host, and control methods based on differential respiratory effects should be revised.