Ten years of containing small hive beetles in Southern Italy

Small hive beetles (Aethina tumida, Coleoptera: Nitidulidae; SHB) are invasive parasites of bee nests that have spread to all habitable continents since 1996, causing significant damage to apiculture.This paper documents a decade of successful SHB eradication and containment applied in some regions of southern Italy.After the first detection of SHB in Italy in September 2014 in Gioia Tauro, Calabria region, and subsequent detection in Sicily in November 2014, intensive surveillance and eradication efforts were promptly initiated.These measures, including the destruction of infested apiaries, the establishment of protection and surveillance zones, and continuous monitoring through sentinel nuclei, have effectively contained the spread of SHB.No further SHB outbreaks have been detected in Sicily since 2019, and the pest remains confined to a limited area in Calabria region.The successful containment and eradication in Italy emphasize the importance of early detection, prompt action, and continuous adjustment of measures in response to the evolving epidemiological situation.The data suggest that the flight of adult SHBs and the use of hosts other than managed honeybees play a minor role in the spread of the beetle.This case represents an effective model for management of this invasive species, highlighting the critical roles of stakeholder engagement, regulatory support, and financial compensation for affected beekeepers.