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Population dynamics and control methods for small hive beetle in Australia
Nick Annand – Development Officer Bees
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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Situation in South Australia
• Long time for SHB to infest
• SA 2016 feeding pollen patties – SHB larva
• 2017 wet spring -summer, no SHB reports
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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 ???
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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
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Relative latitudesAdelaide & Reggio Calabria very similar climates –
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Or as you may see it
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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
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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
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Seasonal population changes
• Graph
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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
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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.
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Control methods used in Australia – in hive
• Apithor – fipronil??• Registered - 3 months• Water in hive, propolis• Cost €4
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Control methods used in Australia – in hive
• Corflute/coachroach bait – fipronil• Not registered - illegal• Home made • No quality control• Cheap & effective
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Control methods used in Australia – in hive
• Chux clothes • Cheap and easy
• Hydrated lime on soil• Only used when
severe
• Trucking
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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 ?????
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Control methods used in Australia – in shed
• Keep things clean and tidy• Coolrooms • Sealed rooms and Phostoxin• Dehumidifiers • No brood • No pollen
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Control method used a beekeeper
• LED lights• On timer
Name of programThank You
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