Investigating the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, and the Crazy Ant, Paratrechina longicornis Latrielle, as Potential Predators for Small Hive Beetle Larve, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera Nitidulisae)
Date of Award
2006
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
McCord, Elzie
Keywords
Fire Ant, Honeybee Pest, Crazy Ant, Small Hive Beetle
Area of Concentration
Natural Sciences
Abstract
The Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida Murray, has recently become a major pest of bee hives in the southeastern United States. The beetle lays eggs in the brood comb of the European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera, L.) hive, and the larvae consume bee brood, eggs, honey, pollen, and defecate in honey. Defecation in honey causes the honey to ferment, ruining the honey store. Beetle larvae exit the hive to pupate in the ground, and may be vulnerable to attack by ground foraging arthropods. This study aimed to explore the Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta, Buren) and The Crazy Ant (Paratrechina longicornis, Latrielle) as possible predators of Small Hive Beetle (SHB) larvae (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae). SHB larvae were reared in the laboratory for all experiments and rearing techniques are summarized. Beetle larvae behavior was recorded after being dropped onto the soil. Ant palatability for SHB larvae was tested and beetle larvae were exposed to different ant densities. Frequency of ant feeding and beetle burrowing success was recorded. Beetles that emerged from the soil were sexed, measured, and weighed. Results showed that the SHB larvae were not palatable to the Crazy Ant on soil. The Red Imported Fire Ant consumed SHB larvae when starved, but not at a frequency great enough to impact Small Hive Beetle population in a bee hive.
Recommended Citation
Mihalic, Falon, "Investigating the Red Imported Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, and the Crazy Ant, Paratrechina longicornis Latrielle, as Potential Predators for Small Hive Beetle Larve, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera Nitidulisae)" (2006). Theses & ETDs. 3679.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/3679
Rights
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