Updates on the Mobile Divider and Its Use in Calabria Region to Monitor and Control Aethina tumida Infestation

The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida was first detected in the Calabria and Sicily region (Southern Italy) in 2014. In this regard, a more effective and faster inspection method than the Official one (Ministry of Health) was tested to detect the beetle in the hive. In collaboration with Calabria beekeepers’ association, a “mobile divider”-based method was tested, in order to facilitate the detection of A. tumida and save time during hive inspection. In this short communication, we provide an update on the mobile divider technique and its related inspection procedure, which was first proposed and used in Calabria (Southern Italy) from 2014 to 2016. We report preliminary data concerning the number of detected SHBs and the time spent for their detection, based on the inspection of two apiaries in Calabria region, using both methods (official method and mobile divider method). The preliminary data presented here show that, on average, the mobile divider method seems to be able to recover a slightly higher number of beetles (0.9 adults) per inspected hive, in a shorter time (25 s).

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New Matrixes to Diagnose Aethina Tumida Presence at Apiary Level

Journal of Apicultural Science ◽

10.2478/jas-2021-0015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Antonella Cersini ◽

Marco Pietropaoli ◽

Gabriele Pietrella ◽

Jorge Rivera-Gomis ◽

Giovanni Federico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Early Detection ◽

Visual Inspection ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Aethina Tumida ◽

Small Hive Beetle ◽

Notifiable Disease ◽

Veterinary Services ◽

Inspection Method ◽

Bad Weather ◽

Bee Colonies

Abstract Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae - Small Hive Beetle - SHB), is a parasite of honey bee colonies that causes the notifiable disease called aethinosis. In 2014, SHB was detected in Southern Italy, where it is still present (Calabria region). As part of surveillance activities, official diagnosis of the disease is performed by veterinary services via visual inspection of single hives in the apiaries. New outbreaks can be eradicated and the spread of SHBs limited by early detection of new introductions. We report an alternative protocol for the diagnosis of SHB through swabs and hive debris analysis by PCR. This was tested in three apiaries through the evaluation of different SHB infestation levels with a hive inspection method. This approach for sampling, followed by biomolecular methods, was fast and useful in unfavorable conditions (bad weather, aggressiveness, robbing), could be integrated in the official diagnosis procedures and may act as pre-clinic indicator.

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Definition of a Protocol to Manage and Officially Confirm SHB Presence in Sentinel Honeybee Colonies

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11178260 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (17) ◽

pp. 8260

Author(s):

Giovanni Formato ◽

Giovanni Federico ◽

Camilla Di Ruggiero ◽

Marco Pietropaoli ◽

Marcella Milito ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Short Communication ◽

Southern Italy ◽

Aethina Tumida ◽

Local Health ◽

Health Unit ◽

Veterinary Services ◽

Local Health Unit ◽

Calabria Region ◽

Supervision And Management ◽

Definition Of

Given the consolidated circulation of Aethina tumida (SHB) in Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia provinces of Calabria region (Southern Italy), the need for a more effective and less time-consuming approach to SHB surveillance emerged. Accordingly, honeybee sentinel colonies were established in the infested areas under the supervision and management of the Veterinary Services of the Local Health Unit. In this short communication, we present the protocol adopted in the Calabria region to manage the SHB positive sentinel honeybee colonies. The procedures for safely packing and transport the SHB infested sentinel honeybee colonies from the field to the official laboratory and the subsequent procedure for their careful inspection in the laboratory are illustrated.

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Monitoring of Small Hive Beetle (Aethina Tumida Murray) in Calabria (Italy) from 2014 to 2016: Practical Identification Methods

Journal of Apicultural Science ◽

10.1515/jas-2017-0022 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 61 (2) ◽

pp. 257-262 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jorge Rivera-Gomis ◽

Ales Gregorc ◽

Andrea Maroni Ponti ◽

Francesco Artese ◽

Gertruida Zowitsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Southern Italy ◽

Control Measures ◽

Aethina Tumida ◽

Invasive Pest ◽

Small Hive Beetle ◽

Time Saving ◽

Early Appearance ◽

Examination Method ◽

Significant Damage ◽

Bee Colonies

Abstract The Small Hive Beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, is an invasive pest of honey bee colonies that causes significant damage to the beekeeping sector. SHB was detected in southern Italy (EU) in 2014 and despite adopted eradication measures, is still present there. After three years of observations of SHB in Calabria (2014-2016), we provide here some practical tips for improving control measures. A new time-saving colony examination method, including the use of an internal divider reduced the time needed for hive inspections by 31.86 % on average. Prioritizating the inspection of pollen and honey combs rather than brood combs is advised. Sentinel apiaries with no more than five colonies without supers are suggested for each beekeeping location in order to attract and to monitor the early appearance of SHB. The use of these methods will enable early detection and prompt control measures application before this destructive pest can spread in the region.

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The small hive beetle Aethina tumida: A review of its biology and control measures

Current Zoology ◽

10.1093/czoolo/59.5.644 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 59 (5) ◽

pp. 644-653 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Andrew G. S. Cuthbertson ◽

Maureen E. Wakefield ◽

Michelle E. Powell ◽

Gay Marris ◽

Helen Anderson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Control ◽

Control Measures ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Aethina Tumida ◽

Small Hive Beetle ◽

Severe Damage ◽

Social Bees ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

The Uk ◽

And Control

Abstract The small hive beetle Aethina tumida is an endemic parasitic pest and scavenger of colonies of social bees indigenous to sub-Saharan Africa. In this region this species rarely inflicts severe damage on strong colonies since the bees have developed strategies to combat them. However, A. tumida has since ‘escaped’ from its native home and has recently invaded areas such as North America and Australia where its economic impact on the apiculture industry has been significant. Small hive beetle, should it become established within Europe, represents a real and live threat to the UK bee keeping industry. Here we review the biology and current pest status of A. tumida and up to-date research in terms of both chemical and biological control used against this honey bee pest.

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The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray, Coleoptera: Nitidulidae): distribution, biology and control of an invasive species

Journal of Apicultural Research ◽

10.1080/00218839.2008.11101453 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 181-183 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Peter Neumann ◽

James D Ellis

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Aethina Tumida ◽

Small Hive Beetle ◽

And Control

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Feasibility and preliminary data for a State-wide South Carolina Lupus Registry

Lupus ◽

10.1177/09612033211014591 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 096120332110145

Author(s):

Brittany L Smalls ◽

Trevor D Faith ◽

Hetlena Johnson ◽

Edith M Williams

Keyword(s):

South Carolina ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Preliminary Data ◽

Autoimmune Disorder ◽

Medical Community ◽

Small Samples ◽

Control Board ◽

Prospective Survey ◽

And Control ◽

The Impact

Background Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus is an autoimmune disorder whose cause and reason for disproportionate impact on minorities remains enigmatic. Furthermore, statistics describing lupus incidence and prevalence are outdated and often based on small samples. To begin to address this disparity this report describes preliminary data to be utilized in the development of a state-wide lupus registry in South Carolina. Methods A prospective survey and retrospective data from the South Carolina Budget and Control Board Office of Research & Statistics were used to capture data pertaining to knowledge of lupus, prevalence, and access to lupus care. Results Retrospective ORS data indicated there were 11,690 individuals living with lupus in 2014 with the average direct cost of $69,999.40 in medical care. Prospective surveys (N = 325), in over 16 locations in South Carolina, showed 31% knew someone with lupus, 16% had been diagnosed with lupus, and 50% did not know of a medical facility that treated lupus. Conclusion A lupus registry and repository will provide ongoing access for researchers on the impact of lupus on communities in South Carolina. Lupus is highly prevalent, but disproportionately represented in terms of patient information and participation in clinical trials, so it is also expected that this preliminary work will provide an ongoing process in which the medical community can better engage lupus patients.

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Detection of Lotmaria passim, Crithidia mellificae and Replicative Forms of Deformed Wing Virus and Kashmir Bee Virus in the Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida)

Pathogens ◽

10.3390/pathogens10030372 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 372

Author(s):

Antonio Nanetti ◽

James D. Ellis ◽

Ilaria Cardaio ◽

Giovanni Cilia

Keyword(s):

Honey Bee ◽

Aethina Tumida ◽

Small Hive Beetle ◽

Deformed Wing Virus ◽

Queen Cell ◽

Kashmir Bee Virus ◽

Acute Bee Paralysis Virus ◽

Bee Virus ◽

Paralysis Virus ◽

Lotmaria Passim

Knowledge regarding the honey bee pathogens borne by invasive bee pests remains scarce. This investigation aimed to assess the presence in Aethina tumida (small hive beetle, SHB) adults of honey bee pathogens belonging to the following groups: (i) bacteria (Paenibacillus larvae and Melissococcus plutonius), (ii) trypanosomatids (Lotmaria passim and Crithidia mellificae), and (iii) viruses (black queen cell virus, Kashmir bee virus, deformed wing virus, slow paralysis virus, sacbrood virus, Israeli acute paralysis virus, acute bee paralysis virus, chronic bee paralysis virus). Specimens were collected from free-flying colonies in Gainesville (Florida, U.S.A.) in summer 2017. The results of the molecular analysis show the presence of L. passim, C. mellificae, and replicative forms of deformed wing virus (DWV) and Kashmir bee virus (KBV). Replicative forms of KBV have not previously been reported. These results support the hypothesis of pathogen spillover between managed honey bees and the SHB, and these dynamics require further investigation.

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