The influence of light on small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) behavior and trap capture

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida, Murray) is a major pest of honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies, particularly in the Southeastern USA. We evaluated the small hive beetle’s (SHB) response to different wavelengths of the light spectrum and found that SHB larvae and adults were most attracted to the 390 nm wavelength. Early instar larvae were not significantly attracted to light, while wandering larvae and adults exhibited strong positive phototaxis. The light response of the nonfeeding larval stage indicates readiness to leave a hive and search for pupation locations. Laboratory competitive trapping trials showed that light increased trap catches more than ten-fold for adults and twenty-fold for larvae compared to traps without light. Field trials demonstrated different features of photo attraction; at field sites, hanging traps with light-emitting diodes incorporated into the capture area did not capture more adults than control traps. Light traps in enclosed spaces effectively trapped both adults and larvae. Light shows promise for beetle control in locations where comb is stored or honey extracted.