Seasonal population dynamics of small hive beetles, Aethina tumida Murray, in the south-eastern USA

The population of small hive beetles, Aethina tumida (SHB), was monitored from 2005 to 2008 in colonies of Italian and Russian honey bees located near St. Gabriel, Louisiana, USA. SHB populations differed between honey bee strains (only in one site out of two), with Italian colonies supporting more beetles (7.45 +/- 0.98 SHB per colony) than the Russian colonies (4.48 +/- 0.51 SHB per colony). No difference between the two strains was observed at site 1 where the SHB population was generally low (Italian = 2.73 +/- 0.36 SHB; Russian = 2.69 +/- 0.57 SHB per colony). Our results also revealed that SHB populations varied throughout the year, with peak infestations observed in the autumn (September and November). SHB abundance was significantly correlated with the proportion of hot days, but not with the proportions of cool, dry, or humid days, or the percentage of days with rainfall. Our results suggest that in-hive autumn trapping of SHB in the south eastern USA may reduce springtime numbers of SHB.