Tartan terror alert as beekeepers call for a 12-month import ban
However, European bees have fewer natural defences against this overseas invader and consequently it has far greater harmful consequences to European honey bees.
The bug's larvae tunnel through honeyombs and cappings, eating and destroying them often causing the honey to ferment which gives off an orange-like odour. In vest heavy infestations the bees usually abandon the hive.
The adult bettle can live for upto six months before its presence becomes obvious. The female is a prolific egg layer and she usually puts her brood in cracks and crevices within te hive. When the larvae emerges that's when the real devastation is caused. Then, before pupating, they leave the hive and bury themselves in the ground nearby.
It was confirmed for the first time outside Africa in Florida USA, in May 1998, and since then has become widespread across the USA (in more than 30 US states and as far North as Minnesota) and even on the island of Hawaii. The beetle was later detected in New South Wales and Queensland in Australia in October 2002 and more recently in Canada (traced to imports of unrefined wax from Texas, USA).
The beetle is also present in Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica. Of concern also is the fact that in October 2004 SHB larvae were identified in a consignment of queen bees imported into Portugal from Texas, demonstrating the potential for transport in this commodity.
Since the beetle is considered the next big threat to honeybee colonies in the UK it is not surprising that the Scottish Beekeepers Assocaition - of which I am a member - wants to take this hardline by banning all imports for the next 12 months.
Although I am happy with the performance and quality of my seven colonies, I will review my policy next year for introducing new colonies and queens when the need arises. For the time being I will stick with Scottish bees and, in particular, colonies sourced from the Border region.
BEEKEEPERS across Europe have been vigilant ever since being warned that a deadly pest called the Small Hive Beetle could launch an attack.
It's a nasty little beetle originating from Africa which has laid waste to hives across America and Australia and with news it arrived in South West Italy, the Scottish Beekeepers Association is demanding urgent action by the Scottish Government.
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SIZE DOESN'T MATTER: An ordinary worker bee
towers over an adult beetle
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A few days ago a letter was sent to the Edinburgh-based government demanding an end to the trade in live bees for atleast the whole of 2015 with the request: "The SBA urges that all possible measures are taken to prevent the introduction of small hive beetle into the UK. These should include a cessation of trade in live bees from the rest of Europe for 2015 until the true spread of the pest is better known."
The first sighting of the beetle was made on September 11 this year by the Italian Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, and then a second outbreak was confirmed in Rosarno, approximately 1 km from the first infested apiary in the south west. In this outbreak, four colonies were found to be infested. Since then further infested apiaries have been confirmed.
Since the beetles discovery, urgent measures are now underway to measure the extent of the outbreak, complete tracings (sales and movements of bees from the area), with the intention to eradicate and control spread in line with EU legislation and safeguards. Measures include that in all apiaries where the beetle is found colonies are destroyed and all soil surrounding the hives in the apiaries is ploughed in and treated with a soil drench.
In recent years there has been a substantial level of imports of package bees and queens from Italy into the UK. Where you get your bees from can be a touchy subject and I was midly admonished recently by a local beekeeper in the Scottish Borders for not sourcing my bees locally.
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BEASTLY BUG: Small hive beetle is a major pest
outside of its native sub-Saharan Africa.
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From the seven hives I have my bees have come from mainly Northern England, a couple from the Borders plus two colonies of black bees originating from Wales. I'm keeping a close eye on all of them which is not too easy in this freezing cold weather but they seem unscathed so far.
The beetle is a native to sub-Saharan Africa and is regarded by beekeepers over there as only a minor pest of weak honeybee colonies and stored honey supers. However, European bees have fewer natural defences against this overseas invader and consequently it has far greater harmful consequences to European honey bees.
The bug's larvae tunnel through honeyombs and cappings, eating and destroying them often causing the honey to ferment which gives off an orange-like odour. In vest heavy infestations the bees usually abandon the hive.
The adult bettle can live for upto six months before its presence becomes obvious. The female is a prolific egg layer and she usually puts her brood in cracks and crevices within te hive. When the larvae emerges that's when the real devastation is caused. Then, before pupating, they leave the hive and bury themselves in the ground nearby.
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| INFESTATION: These larvae present a deadly problem |
The beetle is also present in Mexico, Cuba and Jamaica. Of concern also is the fact that in October 2004 SHB larvae were identified in a consignment of queen bees imported into Portugal from Texas, demonstrating the potential for transport in this commodity.
Since the beetle is considered the next big threat to honeybee colonies in the UK it is not surprising that the Scottish Beekeepers Assocaition - of which I am a member - wants to take this hardline by banning all imports for the next 12 months.
Although I am happy with the performance and quality of my seven colonies, I will review my policy next year for introducing new colonies and queens when the need arises. For the time being I will stick with Scottish bees and, in particular, colonies sourced from the Border region.
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