insect ID

[KQ6AR]

Hi,
We did an accelerated powdered sugar drop on our 2 hives today. Here's a photo of a small insect we found in both hives. I think its smaller & darker than a varroa, almost crab like.
The photo has a chunk of pollen, & the dark insect, Does anyone know what it is, or if its anything to be concerned about.

http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn41/KQ6AR/bug.jpg

:scratch:

[megank]

Seems like we need a pix of the "insect" by itself

[Noelle]

Can't quite tell because of all the sugar but the size, color and appendages look like the varroa destructor that I have found on my mite drops.

[KQ6AR]

Thanks for the opinion, It looks like a varroa, I just never saw one that color. It took our packages 3 1/2 months to get any. Now our hives are complete.

[Noelle]

You know - we don't have any of the hive beetles up here that I know of. Maybe someone who knows what they look like could chime in and see if it could be something else. You know how things look like what you know not what you have never seen. good luck

[summer1052]

I don't know what it is, but I do know what it is NOT.

That is NOT a Small HIve Beetle. They are dark brown/black, and the size of a match head.

You may not have SHB in MA yet, but you've got his cousins. SHB are sap beetles -- beetles that (used) to live off of tree sap, especially pine and fir. Those beggars are widely available. :rolleyes:

GL with your critters.

Summer