Mass production of small hive beetles (Aethina tumida Murray, Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)
Author(s)
Thomas Murrle and Peter Neumann
Abstract
The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, an African honey bee parasite, has recently become an invasive species causing problems for local apiculture in its new ranges. Captive breeding of SHB is an important research method to produce the beetles under controlled conditions for experiments. In particular during field work many SHB must be reared without sophisticated equipment in short periods of time at a low cost. Schmolke (1974) and Neumann et al. (2001) previously described captive breeding of relatively small numbers of SHB using rather elaborate techniques. Here we report on an improved and highly economical technique for the mass production of SHB.
Keywords
Apis mellifera, Aethina tumida, parasites, sex ratio, small hive beetle, honey bees
