The biology of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida, Coleoptera: Nitidulidae): Gaps in our knowledge of an invasive species

Abstract

-Small hive beetles, Aethina tumida, are honeybee parasites native to Africa, where they are a minor pest only. In contrast, the beetles can be harmful parasites of European honeybee subspecies. Resistance of African subspecies to infestations is probably due to quantitative differences in a series of behaviours such as absconding, aggression, removal of parasite eggs and larvae and social encapsulation. The beetles use counter-resistance tactics such as defence posture, dropping, hiding, escape, egg laying in small gaps and trophallactic mimicry. Small hive beetles are efficient in long-range transportation (US: 1996, Australia: 2002) and can establish populations in temperate regions due to their overwintering capacity in honeybee clusters. Host shifts to other bee species may also occur. Thus, small hive beetles have the potential to become a global threat to apiculture and wild bee populations. However, our knowledge of the small hive beetle is still limited, creating demand for more research in all areas of its biology.Apis mellifera / Aethina tumida / honeybee / invasive species / small hive beetle

Honeybee health in Africa—a review

“…In North Africa, the introduction of SHB into Egypt did not have significant negative impacts, and SHB populations remain low (El-Niweiri et al 2008) or absent (Hassan and Neumann 2008) in local honeybee colonies. Devastating effects have been reported in countries outside of Africa (Australia and the USA) where the beetles have been introduced (Neumann and Elzen 2004). From an African perspective, the beetles do not seem to pose a significant threat to beekeeping; however, the fact that they can act as vectors of honeybee viruses and bacteria should be of concern (Eyer et al 2009;Schäfer et al 2010).…”

Organic acids and thymol: unsuitable for alternative control of Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)?

“…In our laboratory experiments, this amount was achieved with the highest dosage of 50 mg after 72 h. In V. destructor treatments, the essential oil is usually applied in long-term treatments of 2 to 4 weeks (Imdorf et al 1999;Floris et al 2004). However, a bee colony can either be heavily infested with or even be killed by SHBs within 4 weeks (Elzen et al 1999;Neumann and Elzen 2004). Furthermore, Ellis and Delaplane (2006) showed that the thymolbased product Apilife Var™ had no effect on the host-finding ability of adult SHBs.…”

“…For example, in the laboratory, the beetles were exposed to the agents without any hiding places. In contrast, eggs laid in crevices or in capped brood cells (Ellis et al 2003;Neumann and Elzen 2004;Spiewok et al 2007), as well as larvae that mine within combs (Lundie 1940;Schmolke 1974), are likely to be less exposed to the treatments. A high portion (>50%) of the introduced adult SHBs could not be relocated in the colonies neither in longer-term trials (e.g., 13 days in the formic acid investigation) nor in shorter trials (e.g., 48 h in the oxalic acid investigation).…”

“…Adult SHBs feed and reproduce in honeybee colonies in Africa (Lundie 1940;Neumann and Elzen 2004) and cause considerable economic damage to apiculture operations in the USA (Hood 2004) and Australia (Gillespie et al 2003;Spiewok et al 2007).…”

Environmental evaluation of hot water treatments to control Liriomyza huidobrensis infesting plant material in transit

“…Increased international plant trade is considered as a major mechanism of pest dispersal with numerous pests and diseases being spread around the world (Lenteren and Woets, 1988;Neumann and Elzen, 2004). Within the European Union, a legislation exists that prohibits the movement of specific organisms of plant health importance (Anonymous, 2000;Bartlett, 1993;Cheek and Cannon, 2002).…”