Introduction of Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) in the regions of Calabria and Sicily (southern Italy)

Granato, Anna; Zecchin, Bianca; Baratto, Chiara; Duquesne, Véronique; Negrisolo, Enrico; Chauzat, Marie‐Pierre; Ribière‐Chabert, Magali; Cattoli, Giovanni

doi:10.1007/s13592-016-0465-3

Cited by 26 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Respective legislation and law enforcement is therefore recommended. It is further recommended to establish a surveillance zone surrounding the protection zone, in which sentinel apiaries should be implemented (see above), movements of hives be registered and all apiaries sampled to detect any further spread as soon as possible (Chauzat et al 2016;Granato et al 2017).…”

Section: Early Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to slow the global spread of small hive beetles, Aethina tumida

et al. 2019

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Small hive beetles (SHBs) are parasites of social bee colonies endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and have become a widespread invasive species. In the new ranges, SHBs can cause damage to apiculture and wild bees. Although the further spread seems inevitable, eradication of new introductions and containment of established ones are nevertheless urgently required to slow down the invasion speed until better mitigation options are available. However, at present there is no adequate action plan at hand. Here, we propose to take advantage of SHB invasion history and biology to enrol a feasible plan involving all stakeholders. Raising awareness, education and motivation of stakeholders (incl. adequate and timely compensation of beekeepers) is essential for success. Moreover, sentinel apiaries are recommended in areas at risk, because early detection is crucial for the success of eradication efforts. Given that introductions are detected early, SHB eradication is recommended,

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Section: Early Detectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How to slow the global spread of small hive beetles, Aethina tumida

et al. 2019

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“…The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is an example of such an invasive species (Neumann & Elzen, 2004). It is a long-known parasite and scavenger of honeybee colonies endemic to sub-Saharan Africa (Lundie, 1940) and has now spread to all habitable continents (Al Toufailia et al, 2017;Granato et al, 2017;Lee et al, 2017;Muli, Kilonzo, & Sookar, 2018;Neumann et al, 2016). Within honeybee colonies, SHBs feed on honey, pollen as well as bee brood and adults and/or are fed trophallactically by the bees (reviewed by Neumann et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bees and flowers: How to feed an invasive beetle species

Gonthier

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Straub

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Invasive species may exploit a wide range of food sources, thereby fostering their success and hampering mitigation, but the actual degree of opportunism is often unknown. The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, is a parasite of honeybee colonies endemic to sub‐Saharan Africa. SHBs have now spread on all habitable continents and can also infest colonies of other social bees. To date, the possible role of solitary bee nests as alternative hosts is unknown. Similarly, flowers as possible alternative food sources are not well understood. Here, we show that SHBs can complete an entire life cycle in association with nests of solitary bees Megachile rotundata. The data also show that flowers can serve as alternative food sources. These results support the opportunistic nature of this invasive species, thereby generating further obstacles for mitigation efforts in the field. It also suggests that SHB invasions may result in more serious consequences for endemic bee fauna than previously thought. This provides further motivation to slow down the global spread of this pest, and to improve its management in areas, where it is established.

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“…Since the first report in 1996 out of its native range in North Carolina, USA, the beetle became an invasive species in Australia, and in central and North America. It was introduced in Europe in 2004 in Portugal where an eradication program was effective and then in Italy in 2014 where infestation is still ongoing probably originating from an African population . Its life cycle is intimately linked to the honey bee where it mates and reproduces inside the colony and where the larvae feed on beebread, honey and brood causing destruction .…”

Section: Photomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It was introduced in Europe in 2004 in Portugal where an eradication program was effective and then in Italy in 2014 where infestation is still ongoing 4 probably originating from an African population. 5 Its life cycle is intimately linked to the honey bee where it mates and reproduces inside the colony and where the larvae feed on beebread, honey and brood causing destruction. 1,6,7 Besides honey bees, it can also affect bumble bees and stingless bees (see review in reference 2 ).…”

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confidence: 99%