SP 594 Agricultural Extension Service The University of Tennessee

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Detection: Colonies should be John A. Skinner, Associate Professor, and J. Patrick Parkman, carefully inspected for signs of Extension Assistant, Entomology and Plant Pathology infestation. Adult beetles run across the comb when the hive is first he small hive beetle, Aethina easily disperse to new honey bee colonies opened; and they are often discovered T tumida Murray, a new pest of to lay eggs. underneath the hive cover. To detect honey bees, was discovered damaging Beetles are most likely to be found in adults in the top hive body, place the honey bee colonies in Florida in spring of colonies that have been weakened by cover, inverted, on the top of an 1998. It is native to South Africa. When some other factor, usually mites. Larvae adjacent hive. Place the top hive body and how it arrived in North America are are most damaging because they feed on in the cover. Beetles will move unknown; however, the earliest known honey, stored pollen and bee brood. As downward away from the light. After a collection was made in 1996 in Charles- they feed, brood and honey combs are few minutes, lift the hive body to ton, SC. By 1999 it was established in damaged, especially as the larvae burrow check for beetles in the cover. To Florida, Georgia and North and South through them. Larvae defecate in the detect beetles on the bottom board, Carolina. In 2000, it was discovered in honey, causing it to ferment and bubble another area where adults normally Alabama, Ohio, Maine, Michigan, South out of the cells. Bee brood rearing stops gather, place a corrugated cardboard Dakota and Mississippi. In Tennessee, the when beetle numbers are high, and the square (4"x 4") with one surface beetle was found in Polk County in 2000 bees may abandon a heavily infested peeled to expose the ridges inside. The and in Hamilton, Sequatchie and Dyer colony. As the infestation builds, fer- cardboard is placed ridge side down counties in 2001. Eradication efforts by mented honey may run out of the hive. on the bottom board of the hive. The the Tennessee Department of Agriculture This is often the first external symptom next day the cardboard is removed and in these counties may have delayed the that is noticed. Beetles usually infest and adult beetles, if present, should be pest’s establishment and spread. damage stored comb and supers of honey. found under it. The adults hide in dark, Adult beetles are 6 mm (1/4 inch) Wax cappings may also be infested. moist places. Unfortunately, adults do not get caught on sticky boards. long, dark brown to black, flattened, oval Prevention: Maintain healthy bee Small hive beetle larvae often to oblong in shape, with the head often colonies capable of protecting all comb in congregate in corners, possibly to tucked below the thorax (see figure). If the hive. This includes mite and disease retain heat. This clustering distin- the head is in view, the short antennae prevention and having young, healthy guishes beetle larvae from wax moth have a conspicuous club on the last queens. Unfortunately, recent research larvae that are found scattered segment. The larvae are elongate, whitish indicates that vegetable shortening patties throughout weak colonies. Other grubs that grow to 11 mm in length. They containing granulated sugar and antibi- distinguishing characteristics include have tapered front and rear ends, and otic, which are used in hives for preven- size. Beetle larvae never reach the size rows of small spines on their back. Beetle tion of foulbrood and for tracheal mite of mature wax moth larvae. Also, pupae are light tan to brown and can be control, are attractive to beetle adults. Do beetle larvae have three pairs of found in the soil beneath and near the not let honey supers sit for more than a jointed, “true” legs located behind the hive. Based on observations made in day or two off colonies before extracting. head. Wax moth larvae have many South Africa, eggs hatch in a few days Maintain a clean honey house. Carefully small, fleshy, uniform legs along the and larvae complete development in 10 to inspect honey bee packages received from length of the body. And the bodies of 16 days. Pupation takes from three to four areas where the beetle is established, such beetle larvae have tough exteriors, weeks. Several generations can occur as Georgia and South Carolina. while those of wax moth larvae are within a year. Adults are strong fliers and soft and easily penetrated. Control: CheckMite+¨ is registered honey can be washed off with a garden Portions of this publication were for use in Tennessee as a within-hive hose and the bees will normally reuse the adapted from Small Hive Beetle by treatment for small hive beetles. A soil equipment. W. M. Hood, Entomology Insect ¨ drench insecticide, Gard Star , can be Beekeepers should be made aware of Information Series. Clemson Univer- used for treating under or around possibly this pest. Any suspected hive beetle adults sity Cooperative Extension Service infested hives. Follow label directions for or larvae should be placed in a small publication EII/AP-2. both insecticides. These products are bottle of alcohol and forwarded to this available from most beekeeping supply office for confirmation through your dealers. Freezing combs at 10 degrees F. county Extension office. Please have the for 24 hours will kill all life stages of the agent contact the Entomology Department beetle. Comb containing beetle-spoiled office at The University of Tennessee honey will not be accepted by bees. The before sending a sample.

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The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida. Clockwise from upper left: A) Dorsal (top) view of adult with head and legs exposed. B) More natural view of adult. C) Dorsal view of larva. D) Larvae in comb. E) Honey bee and beetle adults.

Measurements in millimeters. E. (photos A - D by Jeff Lotz, Division of Plant Industry, Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services.)

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SP594-2.5M-1/02 E12-4615-00-016-02 The Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability or veteran status and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. COOPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and county governments cooperating in furtherance of Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Agricultural Extension Service, Charles L. Norman, Dean