![]() ![]() SHB populations are likely to be highest in areas that have loose sandy or sandy-loam soil (see the pupae section of this page) compared to areas with hard clay soils. Breeding usually stops during cold winter months. SHB may have up to 5 generations during the warm months of the year. ![]() Life cycle stages of the small hive beetle In Florida, reports indicate that even strong colonies may be at risk when SHB numbers are high. Weak and queenless colonies appear to be most at risk.Newly drawn combs appear to be more easily damaged than older brood combs that have been toughened by several layers of honey bee pupal skins. Stored combs, beeswax cappings, section comb honey and bee collected pollen are prone to infestation.Combs of honey removed from hives and put aside for extracting at a later time may be ruined.The honey bee colony may leave when SHB infestations are heavy and slime is present.Honey bee queens may stop egg laying and the number of adult bees in the hive may quickly fall.Contaminated honey is unsuitable for sale and unacceptable to bees as bee food. A combination of fermenting honey, SHB secretions and excrement results in a slime on the combs and other components in the hive. The fermenting honey has an odour of decaying oranges. Larvae defecate in the honey causing it to ferment, froth and weep from the cells.Larvae eat honey, pollen and live honey bee brood (eggs, larvae and pupae).Larvae burrow and tunnel through comb, piercing and damaging the wax comb and cell caps.Beekeepers need to change some beekeeping practices to minimise the effect of SHB. Since then, SHB have become endemic to all parts of Victoria. In Victoria, the SHB was first detected in apiaries in north-west Victoria and the Goulburn Valley in 2005. In these States, the greatest amount of SHB damage occurs in apiaries located in the warm coastal fringe. In October 2002, SHB was detected in New South Wales and Queensland, the first occurrence in Australia. The small hive beetle (SHB) is a native of Africa where it occurs in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate zones – mostly affecting weak honey bee colonies. Significant Disease Investigation (SDI) program Samples for laboratory diagnosis of bee diseases Honey culture tests to detect American foulbroodįield diagnosis of honey bee brood diseases What to do if you detect or suspect American foulbroodĭiagnosis, control and eradication of American foulbrood disease Report an unusual or emergency animal diseaseĢ021–2022 Small hive beetle preparation (alert) ![]()
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