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Aiming for the management of the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, using relative humidity and diatomaceous earth

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Cribb, B. W., Rice, S. J. and Leemon, D. M. (2013) Aiming for the management of the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, using relative humidity and diatomaceous earth. Apidologie, 44 (3). pp. 241-253. ISSN 0044-8435

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Article Link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13592-012-0173-6

Abstract

Small hive beetles (SHBs) are a global pest of European honeybee colonies. In the laboratory, the survival of adult SHBs was evaluated in relation to relative humidity (RH = 56, 64, 73, 82 and 96 %) and treatment with diatomaceous earth (DE) across 4 days. Low RH reduced survival. The application of DE reduced survival in addition to RH. Adults treated with corn flour (control) showed no difference in survival from untreated beetles. Scanning electron microscopy images showed no scarification of adult beetle cuticle after exposure to DE; therefore, water loss is likely facilitated through non-abrasive means such as the adsorption of cuticular lipids. The data agree with the hypothesis that DE causes mortality through water loss from treated insects. Egress, ingress, mortality and the egg-laying behaviours of beetles were observed in relation to a popular in-hive trench trap with and without the addition of DE. Traps filled with DE resulted in 100 % mortality of beetles compared with 8.6 % mortality when no DE was present. A simple method for visually determining beetle sex was used and documented.

Item Type:Article
Business groups:Animal Science
Additional Information:Apidologie
Keywords:Absorbicide® Apis mellifera European honeybee insect pest beetle trap
Subjects:Science > Invasive Species > Animals
Science > Entomology
Live Archive:08 Oct 2014 23:56
Last Modified:03 Sep 2021 16:49

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