Members of the UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory conducted a research project evaluating the toxicity of pesticides on small hive beetles (SHBs) that have previously shown to have low toxicity to honey bees. Below is a summary of the research as well as a link to the full publication. 

Background 

SHBs are a honey bee pest that damages honey bee colonies by eating the wax, honey, pollen, and honey bee eggs. SHBs are known vectors of honey bee viruses, and their waste causes fermentation of hive products, causing the colony to flee, leaving behind a slime-filled hive. Honey bees are unable to manage these pests on their own because SHBs can run and hide in small areas and have a hard protective cover that hides their appendages and head. Currently, there are no effective in-hive chemical treatments for SHBs. The pesticide, coumaphos, has been used to reduce SHBs in the United States, but SHBs have developed a resistance, and it is no longer an effective way to reduce pest populations. 

Purpose 

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the toxicity of pesticides on SHBs that have shown in previous studies to have low toxicity to honey bees to find promising in-hive chemical treatments for SHBs. Researchers tested the following compounds: acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole, flubendiamide, propiconazole, and thiacloprid. 

 Key findings 

• Acetamiprid is the only compound in this study that has the potential to be an effective and safe in-hive chemical treatment for SHBs because it is far more toxic to SHBs than honey bees through topical exposure. 

• Chlorantraniliprole, thiacloprid, flubendiamide, and propiconazole are not effective options for adult SHB treatment. 

• Thiacloprid was the most toxic compound to honey bees that was tested in this study, making it an unfit candidate for use in hives. 

• Additional compounds should be screened to determine if they are safe for honey bees and toxic to SHBs, as well as testing multiple exposure routes of acetamiprid to SHBs and honey bees. 

 Significance 

 There are currently no effective in-hive chemical treatments for SHBs. This research improves our understanding of the toxicity of specific pesticides on both SHBs and honey bees, revealing compounds that have the potential to reduce SHB populations safely in hives. This knowledge can help researchers find an effective integrated pest management approach for controlling SHBs, which in turn will help beekeepers to protect their colonies from the damage caused by SHBs. 

 To read this publication, visit: https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040230  

 This blog was written by UF/IFAS Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory employee, Katie Shealy and revised by Amy Vu, Cameron Jack, and Julia St. Amant. 

 St. Amant, J., & Jack, C. J. (2025). Evaluating the Toxicity of Known Western Honey Bee-Safe Insecticides in Controlling Small Hive Beetles (Aethina tumida). Diversity, 17(4), 230. https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040230  

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