AJ’s Beetle Eater
Susan Cobey
A simple, non-chemical, in-hive small hive beetle trap
THE SMALL hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, is an
opportunistic and often secondary pest, preying on
weak colonies. Native to sub-Saharan Africa, the SHB
is a minor pest of Apis scutellata and Apis capensis,
and given little attention in its native country. No
control measures are taken beyond keeping a clean
apiary and extracting honey immediately after harvest.
This changed with the introduction of the SHB into the The AJ's Beetle Eater trap. The comb rests across adjacent
USA. Identified in Florida in 1998, the beetles were frames, with the trough clipped on below fitting between
actually first collected in North Carolina, although their them. The trap is covered by a mat and beetles are
potential impact was not yet realized. It wasn’t until attracted to the dark crevices and crawl into the gaps
reports of colony devastation surfaced that the beetles which are too narrow for bees to access. They then fall
were recognised as an exotic pest. into the mineral oil in the trough and drown
NO DEFENSE MECHANISM This ‘quick fix’ approach to control of honey bee pest and
European bees, Apis mellifera, lack the major DEFENSE parasites is unsustainable. One potential contributing factor
mechanisms expressed by African bees, which are among the complex of causes of Colony Collapse Disorder
fastidious nest cleaners and intolerant of intruding pests. (CCD) is the impact of pesticide residues in the honey bee
The hot, humid climate of the south-eastern USA and environment. Sub-lethal effects weaken the honey bee
tolerance by European bees allowed the beetles to immune system, increasing the bees’ susceptibility to
flourish in some situations. The female beetles lay masses pathogens, especially those vectored by varroa.
of eggs on pollen and in brood, often in crevices
protected from the bees. The larvae feed on brood, pollen CONTINUED SPREAD
and honey. The SHB will continue to spread across the USA, although
During the initial impact and under the right conditions, it is not considered a major pest if precautions are taken.
SHB invasions have been known to destroy strong It is a concern to queen producers because small, mating
European colonies. When infestations become heavy, nuclei are especially vulnerable. Chemical contamination
beetle larvae tunnel through honey combs, feeding and is known to affect queens and drone fertility, therefore
defecating, making a frothy, foul, fermenting mess of the care must be taken in the control measures used.
honey. The beetles introduce a yeast that causes Beetle traps may be a viable solution to cut infestations to
fermentation and releases a compound that mimics honey insignificant levels. A new, innovative, simple, inexpensive,
bee alarm pheromone. This is also an attractant to other non-chemical, in-hive trap design, the AJ’s Beetle Eater, is a
beetles and their numbers increase rapidly. As a result the promising alternative for in-hive SHB control.
resident bees are repelled and abscond.
THE ‘BEETLE EATER’ TRAP EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Plagued by this new pest in Australia, Tony Kennedy wasThe emergency response to the initial impact of the SHB,
determined to find a simple solution without the use ofonce again, has been a chemical arsenal of controls (legal
pesticides. The SHB, identified in eastern Australia inand illegal). Coumaphos is registered as an in-hive
2002, was well established by the time it was discoveredtreatment and GuardStar as a ground drench. Fipronil, an
and declared endemic across the country that same year. ant and cockroach bait, is being used as an in-hive beetle
bait, although it is not registered and is highly toxic to Armed with a few common kitchen items, Kennedy devised a
bees. trap. Persistence, trial and error produced a simple, practical
Bee Craft America May 2009 Page 9
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