ARS | Publication request: Studies on the life history and control of small hive beetles in the south-eastern United States

Submitted to: Proceedings, Asian Apicultural Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 15, 2010
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: We monitored natural infestation of adult small hive beetles (SHB) in honey bee colonies from 2005 to 2008. We found that SHB populations varied throughout the year with peak infestations observed in the autumn (September and November). Abundance of SHB was significantly correlated with the proportion of hot days but not with the proportions of cool, dry, or humid days, or the percentage of days with rainfall. This observation agreed well with our experiment on developmental time. Beetles exposed to lower temperature had longer (36.31 ± 0.08 days) developmental period than those at higher temperature (20.68 ± 0.08 days). Nevertheless, bee stock influenced SHB populations inside the colonies with Italian colonies having 29 ± 5 beetles while Russian colonies had 16 ± 3 beetles. For SHB control, the use of entrance reducers to regulate invasion of adult SHB into the colonies, and the influence of color and height on the efficiency of SHB pole trap were investigated and will be discussed.