Updated news

 

The Italian National Reference Laboratory has undergone a survey on the occurrence of Coleoptera on rotten fruits in Reggio Calabria province. No A. tumida (adults or larvae) have been found in rotten citrus or lime, nor in kiwi.

See " Investigations on the occurence of Coleoptera on rotten fruits"  (16^th March 2015)

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The 20 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (16^th March 2015)

 

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The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (16^th March 2015)

 

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Location of the A. tumida outbreacks in Sicily (16^th March 2015)

 

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No new A. tumida outbreak has been observed on the field and reported on the updated maps (9^th. March 2015). Overall, 61 outbreaks have been reported in the region of Calabria and Sicilia (one outbreak) since 5^th. September 2014. Cold temperatures have slowed down the apiary surveillance. However, colony visits under gone at the moment in the field did not detect any new A. tumida outbreaks since late December 2014.

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases"  (9^th March 2015) (pdf)

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The 20 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (9^th March 2015)

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The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (9^th March 2015)

 

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Location of the A. tumida outbreacks in Sicily (9^th March 2015)

 

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Since the 23^rd of December there has been no new case of A. tumida detection in Southern Italy. Winter temperatures do not allow to regularly visit apiaries in good conditions. The regular surveillance through apiary visits will resume as soon as the temperatureallow proper beehive manipulations. However, in some regions of Calabria and Sicily, colony visits are still in progress depending on local temperatures. Therefore in the following maps, more green dots were added, showing the apiaries without A. tumida.

 

The Italian national reference laboratory on honeybee health together with the veterinary services have collected some rotten oranges, limes and kiwis (approx. 15 kg) on the 18-19^th December 2014 and on the 14^th January 2015.  Each fruit has been carefully examined in the laboratory to detect the presence of A. tumida adults or larvae. No adults nor larvae of the small hive beetle have been detected in the ripe fruits. On the contrary, adults and larvae of different species of insects, coleopterans included, have been detected and morphologically identified. Some of them belongs to the Nitidulidae family and are typically detected on ripe fruits.

So far A. tumida has been detected only on honeybee colonies in 3 Italian provinces: Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia (both located in Calabria region) and in Siracusa (located in Sicilia region).

 

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases"  (17^th February 2015) (pdf)

 

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The 20 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (17^th February 2015)

 

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The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (17^th February 2015)

 

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Location of the A. tumida outbreacks in Sicily (17^th February 2015)

 

 

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The last Aethina tumida outbreaks detected in Italy were published on the 29^th. December 2014. At this date, adults of the small hive beetle were detected in 60 apiaries. Larvae of A. tumida were also observed in 6 cases. All outbreaks were located in Southern Italy, in the Calabria province, with the exception of one site located in Sicily.

 

See " Casi confermati di Aethina tumida IT "  (29^th. december 2014) (pdf)

 

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The 20 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (29^th. Decembrer 2014)

 

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The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (29^th. Decembrer 2014)

 

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Location of the A. tumida outbreacks in Sicily (29^th. Decembrer 2014)

 

 

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On 10^th. December 2014, larvae of small hive beetle have been detected in an apiary located in Calabria. Hence, larvae have been detected in 5 out of 60 apiaries infested with the coleopteran. Since the first detection of the small hive beetle in Southern Italy, on 5^th. September 2014, the coleopteran has been detected in 59 apiaries in South Italy (56 in the province of Reggio di Calabria and 3 in the neighbouring province of Vibo Valentia) and in one apiary in Sicily (province of Siracusa). 

 

See " Casi confermati di Aethina tumida IT "  (11^th december 2014) (pdf)

 

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The 20 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (11^th Decembrer 2014)

 

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The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (11^th Decembrer 2014)

 

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Location of the A. tumida outbreacks in Sicily (11^th Decembrer 2014)

 

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Since the first detection of the small hive beetle in Southern Italy on 5^th. September 2014, the coleopteran has been detected in 58 apiaries in Calabria (South Italy) and in one apiary in Sicilia (province of Siracusa). In the region of Calabria, A. tumida has been reported in apiaries located for most of them in the province of Reggio di Calabria. The small hive beetle has also been detected in some apiaries in the province of Vibo Valentia that is adjacent to Reggio di Calabria. Today, A. tumida larvae have only been detected in 4 apiaries out of the 59 outbreaks.

 

See " Casi confermati di Aethina tumida IT "  (02^nd december 2014) (pdf)

 

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The 20 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (02^nd Decembre2014)

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The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (02^nd Decembre2014)

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Location of the A. tumida outbreacks in Sicily (02^nd Decembre2014)

 

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Since the first detection of the small hive beetle in Southern Italy on the 5^th. September 2014, the coleopteran has been detected in 57 apiaries in Calabria (South Italy) and in one apiary in Sicilia (province of Siracusa). In the region of Calabria, A. tumida has been reported in apiaries located for most of them in the province of Reggio di Calabria. The small hive beetle has also been detected in some apiaries in the province of Vibo Valentia that is adjacent to Reggio di Calabria. Today, A. tumida larvae have only been detected in 4 apiaries out of the 58 outbreaks.

 

See " Casi confermati di Aethina tumida IT "  (01^st december 2014) (pdf)

 

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The 20 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (01^st Decembre2014)

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The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (01^st Decembre2014)

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Location of the A. tumida outbreacks in Sicily (01^st Decembre2014)

 

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Since the first detection of the small hive beetle in Southern Italy on 5^th. September 2014, the coleopteran has been detected in 52 apiaries in Calabria (South Italy) and for the first time in one apiary in Sicilia (province of Siracusa). In the region of Calabria, A. tumida has been reported in apiaries located for most of them in the province of Reggio di Calabria. The small hive beetle has also been detected in some apiaries in the province of Vibo Valentia that is adjacent to Reggio di Calabria. To date, A. tumida larvae have only been detected in 4 apiaries out of the 53 outbreaks.

 

See " Casi confermati di Aethina tumida IT "  (10^th. November 2014) (pdf)

 

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The 20 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (10^th. November 2014)

 

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The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (10^th. November 2014)

 

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Location of the A. tumida outbreacks in Sicily (10^th. November 2014)

 

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Since 20^th. October (8 days ago) only two news cases of A. tumida detection on apiaries have been reported in Calabria (South Italy). 

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases" (28^th. October 2014)

 

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Map 1: Location of the A. tumida outbreaks (28^th. October 2014).pdf

 

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring  A. tumida presence in Italy (28^th. October 2014).pdf

 

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Two news cases of A. tumida detection on apiaries have been reported on 22^nd. October 2014 in Calabria (South Italy). In total adults of A. tumida have been observed in 48 apiaries since 12^th. October. Coleopteran larvae have also been observed in four occasions and in one case, nymphs were collected from the soil. Most of the outbreaks are located in the province of Reggio di Calabria, 3 apiaries being located in the province of Vibo Valentia. The two provinces are nearby and the 3 apiaries in Vibo Valentia are very close to the limit between the two provinces.

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases" (22^nd. October 2014)

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Map 1: Location of the  A. tumida outbreaks (22^nd October 2014)

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring  A. tumida presence in Italy (22^nd October 2014)

 

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On 20^th. October 2014, for the first time the small hive beetle has been detected in one apiary in the Vibo Valencia province. The total number of apiaries where A. tumida has been observed is 46 in southern Italy. Vibo Valentia province is close to Calabria and is partly included in the control zone of 20 km. The positive apiary in Vibo Valentia is located close to the limit between the two provinces. Additionally, some pupae have been collected in the municipally of Gioia Tauro in a site where some A. tumida larvae  have been observed on 1^st. October 2014 (photo 1). The apiary was subsequently destroyed by burning. The remains and the soil were treated with insecticides (photo 2). 

 

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases" (20^th. October 2014)

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Map 1: Location of the  A. tumida outbreaks (20^th. October 2014)

 

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring  A. tumida presence in Italy (20^th. October 2014)

 

Photo 1 : soil investigation to look for A. tumida pupae.

 

Photo 2: insecticide treatment on the remains and soil after the destruction of an infested apiary with fire

 

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On 16^th. October 2014, the small hive beetle has been detected in 40 apiaries located in 13 municipalities in total in Calabria region (southern Italy). An additional case of an infested apiary with A. tumida larvae has been observed, bringing to 4 the number of apiaries where larvae and adults of A. tumida have been detected together. The repartition of the last infested apiaries spreads towards southern Calabria. 

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases" (16^th. October 2014)

 

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Map 1: Location of the  A. tumida outbreaks (16^th. October 2014)

 

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring  A. tumida presence in Italy (16^th. October 2014)

 

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On 14^th. October 2014, the small hive beetle has been detected in 35 apiaries in Calabria region (southern Italy). So far A. tumida has been detected in eleven municipalities. In most of the cases, with the exception of 3 sites, only adult beetles were observed. 

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases" (14^th. October 2014)

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Map 1: Location of the A. tumida outbreaks (14^th. October 2014)

 

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (14^th. October 2014)

 

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On 10^th. October 2014, the small hive beetle has been detected in 5 new apiaries in Calabria region (southern Italy). The total number of apiaries where A. tumida has been detected since the first detection on 12^th. September 2014 is 23. All apiaries are located in 4 municipalities. For the first time on 10^th. October, an apiary was found positive for A. tumida in the municipality of Feroleto della Chiesa, eastern from the 3 municipalities already infested (Gioia Tauro, Rosarno et San Ferdinando). Several other apiaries have been visited, without reporting the presence of any beetle (last week, it was the case for 83 apiaries in the protection zone (20 km from the initial site), 49 apiaries in the surveillance zone (100 km) and 52 apiaries outside the two zones). 

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases" (10^th. October 2014)

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Map 1: Location of the A. tumida outbreaks (10^th. October 2014)

 

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (10^th.  October 2014)

 

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Information from 9^th. October 2014

Controls in apiaries located in the Calabrian region and the surroundings are still in progress in Italy. To date, A. tumida has been found in 18 apiaries. All of these apiaries have been destroyed. Several other apiaries have been visited without any detection of the small hive beetle. These results are encouraging since they show that, up to date, the SHB infestation might be restricted to a small area in the Calabrian region.

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Map 1: Location of the A. tumida outbreaks (9^th. October 2014)

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (9^th.  October 2014)

 

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On 6^th. October 2014,  A. tumida was found in 18 sites in Italy, all located in Calabria region. Amongst them, larvae of A. tumida were observed in only 3 sites.

Italian authorities continue to survey apiaries close to the infested zone, but also this zone as in the Crotone region.

 

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases" (3^rd. October 2014)

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Map 1: Location of the A. tumida outbreaks (3^rd. October 2014)

 

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (3^rd. October 2014)

 

 

These photos have been taken on 1^st. October 2014 in an apiary highly infested with A. tumida in Calabria region. The apiary has been destroyed and the soil treated with insecticides.
 

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Information from 1^st. October 2014.

For the first time, some larvae of A. tumida have been discovered in 2 apiaries in the province of Calabria. A total of 13 sites were found positives for either adults of larvae of A. tumida all in Calabria.

See "Table of SHB confirmed cases" (30^th. September 2014) 

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Map 1: Location of the A. tumida outbreaks (1^st. October 2014)

 

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Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (1^st. October 2014)

 

    Note prepared by the EU RL for honeybee health (Laboratory of  Anses-Sophia Antipolis)

The small hive beetle (Aethina tumida), exotic until now to Europe, has been detected in southern Italy in Calabria on 11^th. September 2014. This infestation was suspected on 5^th. September  2014 in an apiary containing three small colonies (nuclei) located in the town of Gioia Tauro near a major seaport that is retained as a possible place of introduction. Larvae and adult beetles were observed. The morphological diagnosis was realised locally by the University and confirmed by the Italian National Reference Laboratory (NRL-IZS delle Venezie, Padua) on 11^th. September. Samples were sent to the European Union reference laboratory (EU RL) for bee health for confirmation. The identification of the species A. tumida was confirmed through morphological analysis of larvae and adults and subsequently through molecular techniques.

The apiary at the site of detection was destroyed and the soil treated with insecticides. The Italian authorities have given the notification to DG SANCO and to the OIE on 12^th. September 2014. The Italian Ministry of Health announced national measures for monitoring and control for the eradication of the parasite. The measures include inspections in all apiaries within a radius of 20 km from the place of the event. Inspections are also in place in apiaries practicing transhumance in the region of Calabria. Upon discovery of the small hive beetle larvae or adults, destruction and removal of the entire apiary is recommended.   

The small hive beetle is a pest regulated in the EU by Directive 92/65 / EEC, which defines a list of notifiable diseases (Appendix A). 

    The leaflet for the diagnosis of infection with Aethina tumida, published by the EU RL, is available here in English  (leaflet SHB for beekeepers). Versions on other languages are available upon request to the EURL. 

Aethina tumida, adult stage (Anses, Sophia Antipolis, France)

Aethina tumida, larval stage (Anses, Sophia Antipolis, France)

Aethina tumida infestation in nuclei (Orlando Campolo, Italy)

Aethina tumida, larval stage (Anses, Sophia Antipolis, France)

The photo of A. tumida larvae in the comb has been taken from one of the nuclei in Italy on 5^th. of September 2014. 

 

DG SANCO has requested that the EU RL supports the Italian authorities. A mission led by Italian experts including the head of the NRL Dr Franco Mutinelli took place from 16^th. to 18^th. September with the deputy head of the EU RL, Dr Marie-Pierre Chauzat (France), to help local authorities in the fight against the beetle. The team composed of beekeepers, biologists and Italian veterinary services visited five apiaries, all located close to where A. tumida was first detected on 5^th. September. In these five apiaries, between 20 and 50% of the colonies were visited in order to detect the presence of A. tumida.

Adults of A .tumida were found on 17^th. September in an apiary located 2 km far from the first detection point (see map). Seven adults were collected during the first visit. The next day (second visit), the 41 colonies of this apiary were visited. New adult beetles (18) were collected from 12 colonies. No larvae of A. tumida were observed in the hives. The apiary should be destroyed within days following the visit.

Subsequently 2 other apiaries were found positive for the detection of A. tumida. The four cases are in Gioa Tauro and Rosario, the fourth case being located at 6 km from the initial point of detection (Map 1). Some controls were carried out in the Province of Crotone and Vibo Valentia with negative results.

It is crucial to inspect colonies for visually detecting A. tumida. Each frame must be examined carefully and quickly. Indeed, the adult beetles do not like being exposed to light, so they run very quickly on the frames and are quite easily visible if the observer is attentive.

The Italian authorities are pursuing the identification and inspection of all apiaries in the 20 km zone around the first two outbreaks (see map 1) and a scheduled monitoring is set up in an area of 100 km around the outbreak (risk-based and random selection of apiaries) (map 2).

 

Aknowledgements

We thank the Italian authorities for providing us information on the A. tumida detection in the field.

Information are available at:

https://www.izsvenezie.it/aethina-tumida-in-italia/

 

Please find here a short film from Per Kryger (NRL from Danmark). This film shot in South Africa shows how the adults of A. tumida quickly run on the honeybee colony frames

 

 

Map 1: Location of the four A. tumida outbreaks (1: 5^th. September 2014; 2. 17^th. September 2014; 3 & 4 : subsequent positive cases)

 

Map 2: The 100 km zone for monitoring A. tumida presence in Italy (26^th. September 2014)