Aethina tumida - parasite and scavenger of the honeybee

The small hive beetle Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is a new pest which has attacked honeybees (Apis mellifera) in the USA since 199 8, A. tumida is a native of tropical and subtropical Africa where it attack s weakened colonies and A. m, scutellata and A. m, capensis storage combs. The beetles invade bee colonies and lay eggs inside them. Both larvae and a dults feed on brood, pollen, wax, honey, and damage both the brood and hone ycomb. When small hive beetle infestations are heavy and even if the colony is strong, queens will stop laying eggs and the bees often leave the hive. Mature larvae enter soil to pupate, The duration from egg to adult is abou t 38-81 days. Ensuring sanitary conditions in the hives and bee colony is t he first line of defence against the small hive beetle. Coumaphos bee strip s have been approved for use in hives in order to control the A. tumida, Fu migation of stored combs with p-dichlorobenzene is recommended and provides sufficient control.