Aethina tumida

Abstract

Social insect colonies live in nests and are superorganisms consisting of individuals analogous to cells in metazoans. Small hive beetles, Aethina tumida, are free-flying parasites of social bee colonies, where they feed and reproduce. The kleptoparasitic adults exploit social feeding between hosts. Adults and larvae feed on honey, pollen, and host brood, which can damage colonies. Damage rarely occurs in the endemic range of A. tumida in sub-Saharan Africa. They have become a widespread invasive species and can cause severe damage to managed colonies in the new ranges, raising concern about the possible impact on wild bees. However, this complex host–parasite system, with multiple host species and high parasite opportunism, imposes challenges for our understanding, and respective mitigation, for example, via traps, RNAi, and adjusted beekeeping management. Accordingly, there are considerable gaps in our knowledge of this parasite, calling for more research in all areas of its biology.