Updated: September 2005 Small hive beetle - a beekeeping AG1080 pest ISSN 1329-8062 Russell Goodman, Knoxfield and Peter Kaczynski, Ararat results in a slime. This forms a sticky repellent Introduction substance on the combs and other components in the Small hive beetle (SHB) was detected in apiaries in north- hive. Contaminated honey is unsuitable for sale and west Victoria and the Goulburn Valley during August unacceptable to bees as bee food 2005. • honey bee queens may stop egg laying and the The beetle is a native of Africa where it is mostly a number of adult bees in the hive may quickly fall nuisance and secondary pest of beekeeping. In Africa, • the honey bee colony may abscond when SHB SHB occurs in tropical, sub-tropical and warm temperate infestations are heavy zones, mostly affecting weak honey bee colonies. • combs of honey removed from hives and put aside for In 1998, SHB was found in Florida, USA, where it is extracting at a later time may be ruined considered to be a destructive pest of honey bees. While the beetle is now found in 30 USA States, parts of the • stored combs, beeswax cappings, section comb honey USA most affected by SHB appear to be those that have a and bee collected pollen are prone to infestation. climate similar to the infested areas of Africa. Beetle Newly drawn combs appear to be more easily numbers are highest in the warm and humid coastal areas. damaged than older brood combs that have been toughened by several layers of honey bee pupal skins In October 2002, SHB was detected in New South Wales and Queensland, the first occurrence of this pest in • weak and queenless colonies appear to be most at risk. Australia. At the time of writing, SHB was present in In Florida, reports indicate that even strong colonies hives in a number of districts in NSW but no significant may be at risk when SHB numbers are high. SHB damage had been reported in areas away from the coast. Description and characteristics of life The full effect of SHB on Victorian beekeeping will only cycle stages be known as the beetles spread and their numbers increase. SHB may have up to five generations during the warm Beekeepers will need to change some beekeeping practices months of the year. Breeding usually ceases during cold (as described later) to minimize the effect of SHB. The winter months. SHB populations are likely to be highest in practice of removing combs of honey from hives and areas that have loose sandy or sandy-loam soil (see storing them for extracting at a later time will need to be ‘Pupae’ below) compared to areas with hard clay soils. changed. Eggs Damage caused by SHB • laid in irregular clusters in crevices and cavities in the SHB larvae are capable of causing significant damage to hive and near, or on combs. Eggs may also be found honey bee colonies, stored combs and apiary products. next to, or in cells that contain pollen The following examples of SHB activity and damage are • 1.4 mm long and 0.26 mm wide (about half the size of primarily based on reports from the USA: honey bee eggs). The clusters of eggs are not easily • larvae burrow and tunnel through comb, piercing and seen and it is better to search for larvae or adults when damaging the wax comb and cell caps looking for SHB. If you wear glasses for reading, you will certainly need them to see SHB eggs • larvae eat honey, pollen and live honey bee brood (eggs, larvae and pupae) • most eggs hatch within 2-4 days, but some hatching may occur anytime from 1 to 6 days. • larvae defecate in the honey causing it to ferment, froth and weep from the cells. The fermenting honey Larvae has an odor of decaying oranges. A combination of • 11.1 mm long and 1.6 mm wide when fully grown fermenting honey, SHB secretions and excrement • cream to white © State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries Page 1 Small hive beetle - a beekeeping pest AG1080 • spines on the upper part of the body and two spines of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and protruding from the rear of the larva Consumer Services). • 6 legs only, all at the front of the body • may survive without food for ten days (South Africa report) and may survive for up to 14 days without • eat honey, pollen and bee brood, the latter being an food or water (UK report) essential part of their diet • adults can overwinter in the winter honey bee cluster • most larvae mature within 10-16 days, but this period in hives. may be as long as 24 days. Inspecting hives for adult beetles and SHB larvae • remove the hive lid and check the under side of the lid for beetles • lift the hive mat (if present) and watch for quickly escaping beetles that will run down the face of the Photo 1. SHB larva (not actual size). Photo courtesy of Division combs and try to hide in cells of Plant Industry, Florida Department of Agriculture and • remove the super and place it on an upturned hive lid. Consumer Services. Wait 1-2 minutes and then remove the super and look Pupae for beetles in the lid where they will have moved from the combs to try to hide from the light • mature larvae move from the hive to pupate in the soil up to a depth of 200 mm (usually around 100 mm) • lift the bottom box and look for beetles on the bottom and generally within 900 mm of the hive (mostly at board, especially any rubbish and the back corners 300 mm from the hive) where it is dark • some may pupate under the hive • if the bottom box is fixed to the bottom board, remove all the combs from the box and then check the bottom • pupae are white at first, but turn brown as they mature board for beetles. Quickly check each comb for • adult SHB emerge from the soil generally within a beetles and larvae as it is removed from the box period of 15-60 days depending on soil temperature, • inspect all honey and brood combs for beetles and but at 10ºC this period may extend to 100 days. larvae. Larvae, when present, may be found on any Adults comb throughout the hive. However, larvae develop • broad and flattened with clubbed antennae under cell caps and may not be seen until the caps are removed • 5-7 mm long and 3-4.5 mm wide • examine pollen cakes for larvae and in-hive open • yellowish brown at first, sometimes turning reddish sugar syrup feeders for beetles. brown, then light brown to black • when the hive is opened they quickly run to hide in Spread of SHB dark places, though some may ‘play dead’ Beetles are reported to have flown 7 km from infested • may live up to 50 days when feeding on old empty areas in NSW. They can follow the migration of swarms. brood comb and approximately 6 months when SHB may be spread by the movement of beehives, nucleus feeding on honey hives, package bees, queen banks, all types of combs and used hive components, bee collected pollen, comb honey, slum gum and beeswax cappings and scraps yet to be rendered. Beetles can also be transferred on protective clothing and bee veils. Adults may also be present for extended periods in hives and combs that show no signs of damage by larvae. As SHB adults may survive for 5-14 days without food and water, there is potential for spread of adults by movement of used hive parts that offer no apparent food for SHB but have been recently removed from a hive. Pupae may be carried in soil removed from infested areas. Soil could possibly be carried from SHB infested sites on hive bottom boards and vehicle tyres. SHB is not spread by queen bees and escorts that are hand Photos 2 and 3 (not actual size). caught and placed in new queen cages for sale to beekeepers. Left - Natural view of beetle as found in hive. Right - Extended view of preserved beetle specimen. Photos courtesy of Division © State of Victoria, Department of Primary Industries Page 2 Small hive beetle - a beekeeping pest AG1080 Management to control and minimize the disease before uniting them. Avoid placing SHB infested impact of SHB combs and material onto colonies free of SHB because the infestation will soon spread throughout the entire hive. The prime aim is to reduce the number of beetles around the apiary and honey extracting plant and thereby reduce Weak colonies may be strengthened by adding one or two the level of infestation in hives. The adoption of the combs of sealed brood from strong healthy colonies. following practices will help to minimise the effect of Minimise opening the hive SHB infestations: The combined odors of honey, pollen and adult bees Extract combs of honey immediately after attract adult SHB to apiaries. Beetles are more attracted to robbing hives that have been opened. The opening of a hive and the manipulation of combs also appears to trigger female Combs of honey may appear free of infestation but could SHB adults already present in the hive to lay eggs, which have SHB eggs or very small larvae at the time of removal results in a rapid increase of SHB larvae. While it is a from the hive for extracting. Extract combs of honey recommendation that the opening of hives be kept to a immediately after removal from hives.