Aethina tumida (Small Hive Beetle; SHB) and Tropilaelaps spp. Mite; an emerging threat to Turkey Honey Bees

Abstract

Turkey is the second largest producer of honey worldwide. However production size does not parallel the income through the export of honey and honey products. Main reasons for this divergence are the presence of honey bee diseases (predators) and residues in the honey. Due to the observation of Aethina tumida (small hive beetle; SHB) in Europe (Italy) and Tropilealaps spp. Iran’s border regions close to Turkey, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of the Republic of Turkey has raised its alert level for these two notifiable diseases. Aethina tumida is a fruit insect originally from South Africa and it has later adapted to bee colonies. In the early 2000s, the agent came to North America with imported fruits and caused serious bee losses. Spreading to 12 countries to date SHB caused serious economic damage in the countries it entered and could not be eradicated. Tropilaelaps spp. is an ectoparasite that does not survive long without honey bee brood on which it feeds and requires to survive. Tropilaelaps mite even suppresses Varroa when found in a colony andextinguishes the colony in a short time. It is very likely that these two pests will enter and spread rapidly in Turkey and cause serious damage to our beekeeping due to the migratory beekeeping practices in our country.