I've noticed two black beetles in front of my hive about one week apart - one today, one a week ago. They are about the same size as a worker bee. My understanding is that SHBs are about one third the size of a bee. Do I have this correct? Both beetles look the same and seem too big to be an SHB. I had opened about two weeks ago and did not notice anything unusual, though I was not looking specifically for SHB evidence per se. My gut says two beetles in front of the hive means there is probably an issue. Are there other beetle pests to be aware of?
Thanks for any insight!
John
SHB that I have seen are not large at all and do not even approach the size of a bee. I am unaware of other beetle pests, but I do see roach like creatures around the top cover from time to time.
No SHB that large, yet :shock:!!!
It's not unusual for me to see a few beetles when I open a hive. No big deal. SHB are small - a bit smaller than a grain of rice.
I don't believe SHB would reproduce in your climate. They are from Africa and need more temperate or tropical climates. We have plenty of them here.
Okay! Thanks All! I guess these were a couple of random beetles that just happen to be at the same place near the hive. tlynn, I was wondering about climate when I saw SHB are from Africa, however I did get a package this year from California so I wasn't sure if they may have come in with the package. I think I will wait until my next planned inspection, which is in two weeks, rather than go in early. I appreciate the comments - it relieves my concerns!
Thanks
John :)
Do a search on shb and check in the disease and pest section of the forum. Alot of threads on shb.
If it was that big it would have to be reclassified as a LHB (LARGE Hive Bettle) :-D
Just found out that we have Sap beetles here in WI. I was worried it was SHB too. There is a thread going about it in the "disease & pest" section with a picture of one. Just FYI.... :-D
SHB are small compared to the girls. They are black and they fly. They lay their eggs in the comb of the hive where they grow to their larva stage. Then they feed. Last year I found lots of adult beetles on the enter cover each time I opened it, and crawling on the frames. The end of June and the first of July I found 3 handfuls of larva on the bottom board. If you see only 2 or 3 adults I wouldn't be to concerned (if your hive is strong) the girls seem to know how to take care of the problem. Do keep a close eye as they seem to come out of no where. Kill all that you see. I lost my hive.
For pictures see this
http://images.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=picture+of+small+hive+beetle&oe=UTF-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=hZsiSqWsFYOitwev_-jGBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.agr.state.nc.us/plantindustry/Plant/apiary/images/smallhivebeetleBIG.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.agr.state.nc.us/plantindustry/Plant/apiary/hivebee.html&usg=__zkRIifdZ_Z5azHahVXoazpAha9w=&h=850&w=1100&sz=451&hl=en&start=17&um=1&tbnid=Dz_MbAJPVGaUeM:&tbnh=116&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpicture%2Bof%2Bsmall%2Bhive%2Bbeetle%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DX%26um%3D1
wish you luck
patti