Name of program

Population dynamics and control methods for small hive beetle in Australia

Nick Annand – Development Officer Bees

Name of program

Establishment of Aethina across Australia

• First identified in Oct 2002

• Already spread to Qld Central West NSW and Central Coast of NSW

• Through hive movement• Aethina now widespread

in areas SE Australia except Tasmania.

Name of program

Establishment of Aethina across Australia

• We were not looking for SHB

• Well established in feral colonies

• Been in Australia 2 years plus

• To late to attempt eradication

Name of program

Where is Aethina a problem and why?

• Causing hive losses along east coast• High rainfall/humidity increases Aethina

problem - particularly summer rain • Mild short winters• Climate - Summer rainfall map gives a

good indication where Aethina are more problematic.

• Localised Seasonal variation• Wet out west increases Aethina problem

Name of program

Name of program

Situation in Victoria

• Aethina was widespread in hives by 2010

• A wet summer 2010/11 saw beetle problems in weak/dying hives and honey shed. Unprotected by bees.

• Very few reports of hives being lost.

Name of program

Situation in South Australia

• Long time for SHB to infest

• SA 2016 feeding pollen patties – SHB larva

• 2017 wet spring -summer, no SHB reports

Name of program

Western Australia

• Beetles still a problem in far north – wet summers

• South near Perth. Beetle were eradicated. Hives were burnt. Yes but did the climate help ???

Name of program

Natural spread relatively slow

• Call from beekeeper saying he has got Aethina

• Located at the end of a no through valley• No other beekeepers using the valley • Lots of feral colonies in the bush• Call was around 2010

Name of program

Relative latitudesAdelaide & Reggio Calabria very similar climates –

Name of program

Or as you may see it

Name of program

Seasonal population changes

• My home experience • SHB survive but not really a

problem in my area• Late winter and spring see very few

beetle • Early summer get sudden increase

in numbers – where they coming from - suspect dormancy/diapause -then emerging from the ground from previous autumn

Name of program

Seasonal population changes

• Suspect emergence time depends on ground temperature

• Suspect longer the winter the less hatch - less developing SHB in ground and adults in hive surviving from autumn

• = less SHB pressure

Name of program

Seasonal population changes

• Graph

Name of program

Movement of Aethina

• Post emergence suspect SHB fly to closest detected colony

• Limited movement of SHB between hives.• Once they find a hive they tend to stay there

Name of program

Local distribution of Aethina

• Localised breeding event can lead to large population in that area

• Hives short distances apart can have large population differences.

• This also indicates limited movement of SHB once in a colony.

Name of program

Control methods used in Australia – in hive

• Apithor – fipronil??• Registered - 3 months• Water in hive, propolis• Cost €4

Name of program

Control methods used in Australia – in hive

• Corflute/coachroach bait – fipronil• Not registered - illegal• Home made • No quality control• Cheap & effective

Name of program

Control methods used in Australia – in hive

• Chux clothes • Cheap and easy

• Hydrated lime on soil• Only used when

severe

• Trucking

Name of program

Control methods used in Australia

• Do nothing• Requires close attention• Remove or combine

weak or queenless• Reservoir traps

• Feeding ??• Ensure bees access and

lots of them.• Affectiveness ?????

Name of program

Control methods used in Australia – in shed

• Keep things clean and tidy• Coolrooms • Sealed rooms and Phostoxin• Dehumidifiers • No brood • No pollen

Name of program

Control method used a beekeeper

• LED lights• On timer

Name of programThank You