NEW BEE PEST FOUND IN FLORIDA

From: "I. Barton Smith, Jr." smithib@MDA.STATE.MD.US
American Association of Professional Apiculturist

Laurence Cutts, Chief Apiary Inspector for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, reported today that a new exotic pest of honey bees had been discovered in Florida. A sample was submitted by a beekeeper on June 1 which was later identified on June 5, 1998 as being the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida (family Nitidulidae).

Cutts reports that the small hive beetle has been found in four operations on the east coast of Florida in the Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie area. A delimiting survey is currently being conducted. Plans are being made to quarantine the infested area.

Most of the honey bee colonies from at least one of the known infested operations are currently in Maine for pollination rental. Other colonies from the area have been moved earlier in the year to various locations across the country. It is not yet known whether any beetles were transported with the bees, and if they were transported to other places whether they will survive in cooler areas of the country.

The small hive beetle has killed colonies that were apparently strong in Florida. Mr. Cutts described the larvae of this beetle as being the size of the lesser wax moth but looking like a typical beetle larvae with six legs. The larvae apparently feed on a mixture of honey and pollen. In particular, they have been uncapping sealed honey, defecating in the honey and making it unattractive to the bees. Adult beetles are also found in the hive where they are repelled by light and hide in debris on the bottom board and between frames and hive boxes. Colonies have been found with 100's of adult beetles and 1,000's of larvae.

Aethina tumida larvae leave their host colony and burrow into the ground to pupate. Control of this beetle could probably by made while it is out of the hive and in the ground. Pest control products made for killing mole crickets or fire ants (Diazinon) would probably kill this beetle.

The literature reports this beetle as being as destructive as the wax moth where it is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical Africa. Both larval and adult stages cause damage in colonies. However, in Africa there are few beetles reported in strong colonies with the beetle normally attacking weak colonies and stored equipment. The adult beetle is shiny brown to black and is about 0.5 cm in length. Fermenting fruit is reported to be attractive to the beetle.

Submitted by I. Barton Smith, Jr., State Apiary Inspector, Maryland Department of Agriculture
June 8, 1998

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