Deadly beetle threatens state’s honey industry

Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSKHPAU), Palampur, has sounded an alarm for all beekeepers across Himachal Pradesh following the detection of the Small Hive Beetle (Aethina tumida Murray), a destructive invasive pest, in local apiaries.

The beetle, first reported in India in September 2022 from West Bengal and later in Andhra Pradesh and Assam, has now been confirmed in Una and Kangra districts. Experts caution that if not contained swiftly, the pest could spread to other districts, posing a severe threat to the state’s apiculture sector.

Measuring 5–7 mm in length, the reddish-brown, oval-shaped beetle is a strong flier and highly opportunistic. Drawn to the scent of bee colonies, it invades hives through cracks and crevices. Inside, it feeds on honey, pollen and brood, while its larvae tunnel through combs, destroying their structure and contaminating honey with yeast — often resulting in the collapse of entire colonies.

Following ICAR guidelines, the university has urged beekeepers to adopt integrated pest management: maintain strong, healthy colonies, conduct regular hive inspections and manually remove beetles when spotted. The advisory also recommends using mechanical traps baited with attractants like cider vinegar in the early stages of infestation to curb the beetle’s spread and safeguard Himachal’s vital honey industry.