Abstract:
Small hive beetles (SHBs) are generalists native to sub-Saharan Africa and reproduce in association
with honeybees, bumblebees, stingless bees, fruits and meat. The SHB has recently become an invasive species, and
introductions have been recorded from America, Australia, Europe and Asia since 1996. While SHBs are usually
considered a minor pest in Africa, they can cause significant damage to social bee colonies in their new ranges.
Potential reasons for differential impact include differences in bee behaviour, climate and release from natural
enemies. Here, we provide an overview on biology, distribution, pest status, diagnosis, control and prevention to
foster adequate mitigation and stimulate future research. SHBs have become a global threat to both apiculture and
wild bee populations, but our knowledge of this pest is still limited, creating demand for more research in all areas of
its biology.
