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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Infestation of commercial bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) field colonies by small hive beetles (Aethina tumida)
Ecological Entomology, Volume 31, No. 6, Year 2006
Notification
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Description
1. The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, is a parasite of honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies native to sub-Saharan Africa and has become an invasive species. In North America the beetle is now sympatric with bumblebees, Bombus, not occurring in its native range. Laboratory studies have shown that small hive beetles can reproduce in bumblebee colonies but it was not known whether infestations occur in the field. 2. For the first time, infestation of bumblebee colonies by small hive beetles was investigated in the field. Commercial Bombus impatiens colonies (n = 10) were installed in proximity to infested apiaries. Within 8 weeks, all colonies that were alive in the 5-week observation period (n = 9) became naturally infested with adult small hive beetles and successful small hive beetle reproduction occurred in five colonies. 3. In four-square choice tests, the beetles were attracted to both adult bumblebee workers and pollen from bumblebee nests, suggesting that these odours may serve as cues for host finding. 4. The data indicate that bumblebee colonies may serve as alternative hosts for small hive beetles in the field. To foster the conservation of these essential native pollinators, investigations on the actual impact of small hive beetles on wild bumblebee populations are suggested. © 2006 The Royal Entomological Society.
Authors & Co-Authors
Spiewok, Sebastian
Germany, Halle
Martin-luther-universität Halle-wittenberg
Neumann, Peter
Switzerland, Posieux
Forschungsanstalt Agroscope Liebefeld-posieux
South Africa, Grahamstown
Rhodes University
China, Kunming
Yunnan Agricultural University
Statistics
Citations: 71
Authors: 2
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1111/j.1365-2311.2006.00827.x
ISSN:
03076946
e-ISSN:
13652311