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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Bee Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #320707
Title: Age and aggregation trigger mating behavior in the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida

Author
item MUSTAFA, SANDRA - University Of Hohenheim
item SPOONER-HART, ROBERT - Western Sydney University
item DUNCAN, MICHAEL - Western Sydney University
item Pettis, Jeffery
item ROSENDRANZ, PETER - University Of Hohenheim
item STEIDLE, JOHANNES - University Of Hohenheim

Submitted to: Naturwissenschaften
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/14/2015
Publication Date: 12/20/2015
Citation: Mustafa, S.G., Spooner-Hart, R., Duncan, M., Pettis, J.S., Rosendranz, P., Steidle, J. 2015. Age and aggregation trigger mating behavior in the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida. Naturwissenschaften. doi: 10.1007/s00114-015-1300-9.

Interpretive Summary: This study looks at the reproductive behavior of small hive beetle, a honey bee pest. The mating behavior was observed and described. The study also looked at beetle congregating and its effects on mating and if the beetles demonstrated an age related gender preference as a possible form of chemical communication. It found that beetles began spending more time with the opposite sex at 18 days old vs younger beetles and that beetles presented with filter paper that had been in contact with 21 day old beetles was highly attractive to beetles, which suggest the presence of a chemical attractant in older beetles. The beetles also mate in groups with multiple partners which allows for mass reproduction that often overwhelms the honey bee colony.

Technical Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the previously poorly documented reproductive behaviour of the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida (Nitidulidae), a honey bee (Apis mellifera) parasite. We observed and described the mating behavior in detail, and tested the hypothesis that beetle aggregation plays a vital role in mating in this species. Age-dependent gender preference was also examined, in the context of possible chemical communication. Beetles started mating at a high frequency 18 days after emergence from the soil but only if they were aggregated (p < 0.001); mating was infrequent when beetles were paired. Males in aggregation also tried to copulate with males and only copulated more frequently with females at 18 days after emergence from soil (p < 0.001) in contrast to newly emerged, 7 day-old and 60 day-old beetles. Males and females spent more time in social contact with the opposite sex (p < 0.01) when they were 18 days old in contrast to 7-day-old beetles. Filter papers which had been in contact with 21-day-old beetles were highly attractive to similar aged beetles of the opposite sex (p < 0.01). This suggests that chemical substances produced by beetles themselves play a role in mating. Mating behavior was characterized by a short pre-copulation courtship and female aggression towards other females and copulating pairs. Both behaviors may be indicative of cryptic female choice. Delayed onset of reproductive behavior is typical of many polygamous species, while the indispensability of aggregation for onset of sexual behavior seems to be a feature unique to A. tumida. Both strategies support mass reproduction in this parasitic species, enabling it to overcome its honey bee host colony, and are probably triggered by chemotactic cues.