Social encapsulation of beetle parasites by Cape honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera capensis Esch.)

Worker honeybees (Apis mellifera capensis) encapsulate the small hive beetl e (Aethina tumida), a nest parasite, in propolis (tree resin collected by t he bees). The encapsulation process lasts 1-4 days and the bees have a soph isticated guarding strategy for limiting the escape of beetles during encap sulation. Some encapsulated beetles died (4.9%) and a few escaped (1.6%). E ncapsulation has probably evolved because the small hive beetle cannot easi ly be killed by the bees due to its hard exoskeleton and defensive behaviou r.