The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) has been a global threat to honeybee populations, and now its has been recorded for the first time in India. Aethina tumida was recorded from a moderately large colony of European honeybees, or Apis mellifera, in an apiary in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.
Key Highlights
Threat Overview
- Species: Small hive beetle (Aethina tumida)
- Origin: Sub-Saharan Africa (described in 1867)
- First Record in India: North 24 Parganas district, West Bengal
- Detected in: A colony of European honeybees (Apis mellifera)
- Reported by: Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
- Published in: Journal of Environment and Sociobiology
Spread History
- Previously reported in the Philippines, South Korea, and China in Asia.
- Has caused widespread damage globally across North America, Australia, and parts of Europe.
Impact on Bees
- Entry Method: Females enter hives via cracks.
- Damage Caused:
- Larvae feed on stored pollen, honey, and bee brood (eggs, larvae).
- Larvae defecate in honeycombs, spoiling honey and making it inedible.
- Affected Bees:
- European honeybees (Apis mellifera)
- Asian honeybees (Apis cerana)
- Stingless bees and bumblebees
Consequences
- Direct loss of honey production.
- Colonies may collapse due to contamination and resource loss.
- Economic blow to beekeepers, farmers, and the broader agricultural ecosystem (due to pollination loss).
Response and Precaution
- The beetle is listed as a ‘notifiable disease’ by the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOAH).
- This means governments and agriculture bodies must report outbreaks and take action to monitor and control its spread.
(Source: TH)
