Susceptibility of small honey bee colonies to invasion by the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida (Coleoptera, Nitidulidae)

Publication Type
Journal contribution (peer reviewed)
Authors
MUSTAFA S., S. SPIEWOK, M. DUNCAN, R. SPONNER-HART, P. ROSENKRANZ
Year of publication
2014
Published in
Journal of Applied Entomology
Band/Volume
138/7
DOI
10.1111/jen.12111
Page (from - to)
547-550
Abstract

Weak and small honey bee colonies are supposed to be more susceptible to infestations by the small hive beetle [Aethina tumida, small hive beetle (SHB)]. To test this, we established 24 nucleus colonies [12 with and 12 without previous SHB removal (= screening)]. Four weeks later, we compared beetle numbers and the occurrence of SHB reproduction to the corresponding full-sized colonies. Full-sized colonies with no screening were infested with significantly more SHBs than all other groups (mean ± standard deviation = 46.9 ± 26.7). Regardless of this, none of the full-sized colonies showed damage or evidence of SHB reproduction. In contrast, five nucleus colonies collapsed and SHB larvae were found in an additional seven colonies. Our study demonstrates that SHB infestation levels which are harmless to full-sized colonies may have a negative impact on small nucleus colonies.

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