Beesource Beekeeping Forums banner

Natural Predators of the SHB?

4K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  trance 
#1 · (Edited)
So what in Africa keeps these suckers under control? I understand the Bees (in Africa) have had years to evolve to fight them but curious what in Africa eats these guys?
 
#3 · (Edited)
#6 · (Edited)
> Are they talking about SHB Rader? The topic states Varroa?

Oops, it seems I had a brain fart.
:eek: The thread I linked above is indeed about a varroa predator.


There is limited information at the link below about biological control of small hive beetles using
Steinernema riobrave and Heterorhabditis indica nematodes:

http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/bees/small_hive_beetle.htm
Look at the section headed "Biological control" very near the end of the page.


 
#9 ·
> Still trying to find out what eats these beetles like M&M's over in Africa to keep them under control.

For one thing, the bees in Africa are different than our bees.
The small hive beetle is not considered a serious problem in South Africa where the pest only damages weak bee colonies and stored comb. Apis mellifera scutellata, the African honey bee, apparently does a better job of controlling this pest than our European honey bees. Improved hygenic behavior by the Africanized honey bee and the habit of quickly absconding under light predation likely play a major role in keeping the beetles in check in South Africa.

http://www.clemson.edu/extension/beekeepers/factsheets/small_hive_beetle_ap2.html

 
#10 · (Edited)
> Still trying to find out what eats these beetles like M&M's over in Africa to keep them under control.

For one thing, the bees in Africa are different than our bees.
I understand as stated in my original post and got me thinking Rader, maybe Bees that have mixed with AHB might actually do some good if you see where i am going with this
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top