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Weeds, Pests & Diseases
Department of Primary Industries and Water

Home > Weeds, Pests & Diseases > Animal Diseases > Small Hive Beetle

Small Hive Beetle

The Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida (Murray), was discovered in hives at Richmond, New South Wales in late October 2002. It has subsequently been found near Beerwah in Queensland. Prior to this date the Small Hive Beetle was not known to exist in Australia.

Colour photograph showing a close up of the small hive beetle larva.
Colour photograph of Aethina tumida, adult dorsal view (thumbnail).
Small hive beetle larva
© Division of Plant Industry,
University of Florida
Small hive beetle - adult dorsal view
(Click on the image to see a larger version)
Copyright: Jeffrey Lotz, Division of Plant Industry,
Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

The adult Small Hive Beetle are broad flattened beetles about 5-7 mm long and dark brown to nearly black in colour. Larvae are elongate white grubs. Pupae are white to brown and are found in soil beneath the hive. From egg to adult takes 38-81 days with five generations a year. Adults and larvae inhabit hives where they feed on stored honey and pollen. Combs are damaged and brood killed; honey ferments and bubbles out of the cells. Damage is so severe where this pest occurs in the Western Hemisphere that thousands of hives are killed by it each year.

All beekeepers should inspect their hives for the presence of these beetles on a regular basis. There are species of native beetles that are similar to the Small Hive Beetle. If you are not certain what kind of beetle you have found, submit a sample. Details on how to collect samples, where to send them to and photographs of the beetle and larvae can be found on the Small Hive Beetle Surveillance web page.

Further information on the Small Hive Beetle can be sourced on the NSW Agriculture website:
www.agric.nsw.gov.au/smallhivebeetleYou are now leaving our site. DPIWE is not responsible for the content of the web site to which you are going. The link does not constitute any form of endorsement.


Also see the following related link:
Embargo on Beekeeping Equipment


Further Information

Contact: Stock Officer - Animal Disease Management
Graeme Raphael
Stock Officer (Animal Health Advice/Information)
71 High Street
OATLANDS TAS 7120
Phone: 03 6254 5012
Fax: 03 6254 1578
Email: Graeme.Raphael@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

Go to top of pageDepartment switchboard:  1300 368 550 (local call cost within Australia)


Small Hive Beetle Surveillance 
Tasmania Online


Tasmania Online | Service Tasmania

This page - http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/WebPages/EGIL-5G95PA?open - was last published on 22 June 2009 by the Department of Primary Industries and Water. Questions concerning its content can be sent to AnimalDisease Enquiries by using the feedback form, by mail to GPO Box 44, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia 7001, or by telephone to 03 6233 6875.

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