Survival, spread and establishment of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida)
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Author
Bicout, Dominique
Bøtner, Anette
Calistri, Paolo
Butterworth, Andrew
Depner, Klaus
Garin-Bastuji, Bruno
Good, Margaret
Miranda, Miguel Angel
Raj, Mohan
Gortazar Schmidt, Christian
Thulke, Hans Hermann
Sihvonen, Lisa
Spoolder, Hans
Stegeman, Jan Arend
Winckler, Christoph
Publication date
2015-12-15ISSN
1831-4732
Abstract
The small hive beetle (SHB) is still present in Calabria one year after its first detection in September
2014. Detailed epidemiological studies would improve our knowledge of the survival, spread and
establishment of the pest. Movement of an infested hive could spread SHB rapidly over large distances. Modelling of SHB spread in absence of movement of hives, suggests that natural spread of the beetle alone will take more than hundred years to reach Abruzzo from Calabria (around 250 km). A model considering the ownership of multiple apiaries per beekeeper indicates that spread would be 10 times faster. Opportunity maps indicate that, once introduced, the SHB could complete its life cycle in all EU Member States between May and September. It is recommended that restrictions on the movement of honey bees, bumblebees and commodities from infested to non-infested areas be maintained until SHB is eradicated, to prevent spread of the pest. Strengthening visual inspection, preventing infestation using a fine mesh and issuing a health certificate for intra-EU trade of queen bees, within 24 hours before dispatch, could reduce the risk of SHB transmission via consignments. In general, visual inspection of the beehive, as described in this document, is the preferred method of detecting SHB. Traps could help to detect and reduce SHB infestation levels. Maintaining good honey house hygiene and good beekeeping practices are the most important measures to control SHB where eradication is no longer the objective, given that no approved veterinary medicine is available in the EU. A field experiment found natural infestation of commercial bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) colonies placed next to SHB-infested honey bee hives. However, there are no data published on SHB infestation in natural bumblebee colonies. Studies are needed of the capacity of B. terrestris, occurring in Europe, to act as a SHB host.
Document Type
Article
Document version
Published version
Language
English
Subject (CDU)
638 - Keeping, breeding and management of insects and other arthropods
Pages
77
Publisher
Wiley
Is part of
EFSA Journal
Citation
Bicout, Dominique, Anette Bøtner, Paolo Calistri, Andrew Butterworth, Klaus Depner, Bruno Garin-Bastuji, and Margaret Good et al. 2015. “Scientific opinion on the survival, spread and establishment of the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida)”. EFSA Journal 13 (12): 4328. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4328.
Program
Benestar Animal
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- ARTICLES CIENTÍFICS [2777]
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