Yet another pest of the wonderful honey bee.
It's amazing how closely insect behavior sometimes matches human behavior.
"The small hive beetle Aethina tumida (SHB) is an invasive pest of bee hives, originally from sub-Saharan Africa. These beetles inhabit almost all honey bee colonies in their native range, but they do little damage there and are rarely considered a serious hive pest.
It is unknown how this pest found its way into the U.S., but was first discovered to be damaging honey bee colonies in Florida in the late 1990s. It has since spread to more than 30 states, being particularly prevalent in the southeast. The beetles have likely been transported with package bees and by migratory beekeepers, but the adult beetles are strong fliers and are capable of traveling several miles at a time on their own.
Honey bees are not able to efficiently remove adult beetles from the hive, and their hard shells resist stinging. Rather, the bees are observed to pursue adult beetles across the combs. Beetles will seek cracks and crevices in which to escape from the bees, who in turn will imprison the beetles in these cracks, preventing them from escaping. The beetles have developed the ability to stimulate the mouth parts of worker bees with their antennae, similar to drones begging for food, and are able to trick their guards into feeding them. This behavior allows the beetles to survive in confinement for extended periods. Opening hives for inspections may free the beetles from their confinement. "
Managing Small Hive Beetles
2012 eXtension
It's amazing how closely insect behavior sometimes matches human behavior.
"The small hive beetle Aethina tumida (SHB) is an invasive pest of bee hives, originally from sub-Saharan Africa. These beetles inhabit almost all honey bee colonies in their native range, but they do little damage there and are rarely considered a serious hive pest.
It is unknown how this pest found its way into the U.S., but was first discovered to be damaging honey bee colonies in Florida in the late 1990s. It has since spread to more than 30 states, being particularly prevalent in the southeast. The beetles have likely been transported with package bees and by migratory beekeepers, but the adult beetles are strong fliers and are capable of traveling several miles at a time on their own.
Honey bees are not able to efficiently remove adult beetles from the hive, and their hard shells resist stinging. Rather, the bees are observed to pursue adult beetles across the combs. Beetles will seek cracks and crevices in which to escape from the bees, who in turn will imprison the beetles in these cracks, preventing them from escaping. The beetles have developed the ability to stimulate the mouth parts of worker bees with their antennae, similar to drones begging for food, and are able to trick their guards into feeding them. This behavior allows the beetles to survive in confinement for extended periods. Opening hives for inspections may free the beetles from their confinement. "
Managing Small Hive Beetles
2012 eXtension
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