Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
If the infestation is heavy, adults may be seen on hive floors and under lids.
Small, pearly white eggs, smaller than bee eggs, can be found in irregular masses in
crevices or brood combs.
If you leave pieces of corrugated cardboard in the hive, the beetles will be attracted
to them for shelter and so readily found if their presence is suspected.
The smell of fermented honey (caused by the larvae excreting in the honeycomb)
is distinctive.
The larvae are similar in size to wax moth larvae. After 10-14 days they are 10-11
mm (⅜ in) long. They have three pairs of small proto-legs near to their heads and
spines on their backs.
The larvae do not produce webbing or frass in the combs.
Infested combs have a slimy appearance.
Points to note about the small hive beetle
A few points to remember about this devastating pest include the fact that both adults
and larvae will eat bee eggs, brood, honey and pollen, thus very quickly destroying the
entire colony. Before this happens, however, when heavily infested, a colony will often
abscond. Heavy infestations can reach tens of thousands of larvae, causing partial comb
meltdown and fermented, spoiled comb that is repellent to the bees.
Some other interesting points about these clever little beasts include the fact that beetles
have been found in bee swarms! Imagine capturing a swarm only to bring death and
destruction to your own and your neighbourhood beekeeping. Another point is that,
the day after an apiary inspection, there appears to be a huge influx of beetles. It seems
that the inspection releases hive odours thus attracting beetles that can detect these
odours up to 15 km (10 miles) away! Opening a hive also provokes the existing beetles
in the colony to lay eggs, and stored comb in a honey-extraction room is especially at
risk of infestation. It seems that whatever you do makes the situation worse!
