Small Hive Beetle And Tropilaelaps

Question 1

What is the Latin for the small hive beetle?

Answer 1

Aethina tumida

Question 2

What are two notifiable pests?

Answer 2

Small hive beetle and Tropilaelaps

Question 3

What are the identifiable features of Small Hive Beetle

Answer 3

• They are 5.7mm in length
• Their thorax has a jagged curve shape
• The protective wing case (elytra) does not cover the entire abdomen
• The adult beetle has 3 pairs of legs
• The beetle has clubbed antenna
• The larvae has spines on the entire length of its body, and 3 main legs

Question 4

What is the Latin for Tropilaelaps

Answer 4

Tropilaelaps clareae

Question 5

What are distinguishing features to identify Tropilaelaps mites?

Answer 5

• It is brown and oblong in shape
• They have 4 pairs of legs but the front 2 are held upright so look like antennae
• Young larval nymphs are white
  -0.5mm wide (1/3 the size of varroa)

Question 6

Explain the lifecycle of the SHB?

Answer 6

• Beetles lay eggs in hives
• Larvae hatch and eat HB eggs, larvae, pollen and honey
• Larvae leave hive and then pupate in soil below hive
• beetles then enter the hive

Question 7

What is the lifecycle of Tropilaelaps?

Answer 7

• Female enters brood cell with larvae
• Eggs laid and females mate with male
• Don’t feed on adult bees so they have to renter cells quickly

Very similar to lifecycle of varroa