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23 September 2021 Small Hive Beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Attraction to a Blend of Fruit Volatiles
Charles J. Stuhl
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Abstract

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), belongs to a family of beetles known as sap beetles. As an agricultural pest they feed upon damaged, overripe fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries, corn, melons, tomatoes, and raspberries. The small hive beetle is a major parasite of honey bee hives worldwide. The beetle lives in the honey bee hive and feeds on honey, pollen, and honey bee brood. Fruit volatiles collected from overripe fruit provide for an effective attractant for both sexes of the small hive beetle. A laboratory trapping assay was performed using ripe fruit and a fruit-semiochemical attractant blend containing ethanol, ethyl butyrate, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, and acetaldehyde. Results indicated that the synthetic fruit blends captured beetles at the same rate as the cut fruit. The blend with the highest concentration had significantly more beetles captured. The key to an effective trapping system is a good attractant. The isolated fruit volatiles show promise as a possible attractant for control and monitoring of small hive beetle.

Charles J. Stuhl "Small Hive Beetle (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) Attraction to a Blend of Fruit Volatiles," Florida Entomologist 104(3), 153-157, (23 September 2021). https://doi.org/10.1653/024.104.0301
Published: 23 September 2021
KEYWORDS
Aethina tumida
Aethina tumida
Apis mellifera
Apis mellifera
escarabajos de la savia
sap beetles
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