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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Subject:
From:
Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:24:28 -0500
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> What kind of a beetle looks like a SHB but isn't.

About the only other beetle seen *in hives* are pollen beetles. Common in
hives but are longer  (about the correct width) and can run from solid color
to two color and from brown to black in color.

  The legs and the
> antenna are different.

The antenna on small hive beetle is the most recognizable feature. Sounds
like your beetle is a common pollen beetle.

> Plus there are no SHB larvae in the hive.

The larva is very different than wax moths and although small hive beetle
can be found in most hives in the south larva is usually only seen when eggs
are deposited in weak hives. SHB is found in strong hives but when a weak
hive is slimmed other SHB in the area seem to race to the hive to also lay
eggs. L. Cutts counted over 8000 SHB in a hive in Florida which was in the
process of being slimmed. L. Cutts said SHB can detect a hive from 5 miles
away. Jeff Pettis  found SHB flies in swarms and will overwinter in clusters
in the north.
SHB is common in California package apiaries but not discussed as if found
out the Midwest package business would revert back to Georgia where packages
are cheaper. Please keep to yourself.
SHB is the most over rated pest of all the pests. Commercial beekeepers
learned to control SHB a decade ago but of course the method is not
registered.

Bob

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