Small Hive Beetle Returns to Sicily: New Cases Spark Concern

^{The Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida, has reappeared in Sicily following a four-year absence.}

The Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida, has resurfaced in Sicily after a four-year absence. Two sentinel hives have tested positive – one in central Messina and another just outside the city. This parasitic beetle is notorious for the damage it causes to honey bee colonies. Its presence has prompted Sicilian authorities to initiate containment measures to protect the island’s apiculture sector from further harm.

Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida

Aethina tumida, commonly known as the Small Hive Beetle, is a pest native to Africa that threatens honey bee colonies worldwide. This small, dark beetle typically measures about 5 to 7 millimetres in length. It is notorious for infesting beehives, where its larvae feed on honey, pollen, and developing bee larvae. Small Hive Beetles can cause significant damage to hives. This can result in weakened colonies, decreased honey production, and, in severe cases, colony collapse. Additionally, Aethina tumida can carry various pathogens, further jeopardising honeybee health. Effective management involves monitoring beehives, using integrated pest management strategies, and educating beekeepers about control measures to reduce its impact on apiculture.

Concerns for Malta’s Apiculture

Given that Sicily is Malta’s closest neighbouring island, this situation raises concerns for Malta as well. The Foundation for the Conservation of the Maltese Honey Bee has long cautioned against honey bee importation. Such imports weaken Malta’s apiculture by introducing genetic contamination, which reduces the resilience and adaptability of the Maltese Honey Bee. Importing foreign bees also increases the risk of new diseases and pests, like the Small Hive Beetle. This poses a significant threat to Malta’s already vulnerable apiculture industry.

Recent Detection and Response

This latest detection in Sicily occurred on the 9th of October, 2024. Authorities discovered 25 beetle larvae in a sentinel hive in central Messina. Days later, a second alert was raised. Both larvae and adult beetles were found in another hive 10 kilometres north of the city. Dr Franco Mutinelli of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie confirmed the cases after an official inspection. The beetle’s return to Sicily, after a four-year absence, has increased concerns for the island’s beekeeping community.

In response, Sicilian authorities have intensified monitoring efforts. A 20-kilometre protection zone has been established around the two infected sites. Surveillance has also increased across Sicily, particularly in the provinces of Messina, Enna, and Catania. This proactive approach aims to prevent a full shutdown of Sicily’s apiculture. Such a measure, last implemented in 2019, would be a severe blow to the island’s beekeeping sector, which is already under strain.

Map outline of Sicily with an illustration of a Small Hive Beetle and an arrow indicating its detected location in the northeast, with Malta illustrated below.

European Union Regulations on Aethina tumida

Within the EU, Aethina tumida is classified as a Category D disease under Regulations 2016/429 and 2018/1629. This designation requires preventive actions to limit its spread among member states. The European Commission may impose restrictions, including a full lockdown of Sicily, to protect the rest of the Union. The beetle, which originates from Africa, invades honeybee colonies, consuming honey, pollen, and larvae. Its larvae can damage honeycombs, causing honey to ferment. So far, the beetle has only been reported in Calabria and Réunion, a French overseas territory.

The re-emergence of the Small Hive Beetle in Sicily underscores the importance of strict importation policies for Malta. The Foundation continues to advocate for the protection of the Maltese Honey Bee. Our goal is to preserve its genetic integrity and strengthen resilience against pests and diseases.

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