Why In The News?

• A scientist from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), identified the Small Hive Beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, in Amdanga, West Bengal.
• This is the first recorded instance of SHB in India.

Small Hive Beetle:

⇒ SHBs are small, oval-shaped beetles (5-7 mm), reddish-brown in color.

⇒ It is a notorious enemy of honey bees and has caused widespread damage to the apiculture industry globally.

⇒ It infiltrates hives, laying eggs that hatch into larvae, which feed on honey, pollen, and bee brood, contaminating honey and causing colony collapse.

Distribution:

• Originating in sub-Saharan Africa, SHB has spread globally to the United States, Australia, Canada, and parts of Asia.
• India’s climate may favor the proliferation of SHB, making early detection and response crucial.

Classifications:

• It is classified as an “Invasive Alien Species,” a category of non-native organisms that pose significant threats to biodiversity and local ecosystems.
• The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has classified SHB infestation as a notifiable disease due to its destructive potential.

Concerns

⇒ The presence of SHB raises concerns about its impact on India’s honey bee population and apiculture industry.

⇒ The beetle is known for rapidly multiplying and spreading. SHB could harm India’s beekeeping sector, jeopardizing honey production and the livelihoods of those dependent on it.

Measures to tackle them:

⇒ Experts emphasize the need for coordinated monitoring, containment strategies, and awareness campaigns to protect native pollinators and the apiculture industry in India.