First report of invasive small hive beetle, <i>Aethina tumida</i> Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) from India

The Small Hive Beetle (SHB), <i>Aethina tumida</i> Murray, is an invasive pest and scavenger that inflicts significant damage on <i>Apis mellifera</i> L. colonies globally beyond its native range. In September 2022, this pest was detected for the first time in <i>A. mellifera</i> colonies managed by a beekeeper in North 24 Parganas, district in West Bengal, India, during routine surveys. Subsequently, in November and December 2023, outbreaks of SHB were reported in apiaries in the West Godavari, Guntur, and Eluru districts in Andhra Pradesh, Southern India. Most recently, in March 2024, SHB infestation was noted in the Goalpara district, Assam, in Northeastern India. The identification of the SHB was confirmed through both morphological and molecular methods. Surveys revealed that all apiaries in North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas were infested, with colony losses ranging from 8–98% and significant numbers of SHB adults (135) and larvae (7000) per colony. Given the significant threat this pest poses to honey bee colonies, there is an urgent need to develop effective monitoring and management strategies to control and prevent its further spread across the country.