A Review of Detoxification Enzymes with Suggested Phase I and II Assays for Testing the Small Hive Beetle, Aethina tumida (Murray)

Alex Bishop

Date of Award

2008

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

McCord, Elzie

Keywords

Toxicology, Entomology, Small Hive Beetle

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

The Small Hive Beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, (Coleoptera:Nitidulidae) was first identified in the United States in June, 1998, introduced at shipping ports in South Carolina and Florida. It was inadvertently spread throughout the eastern seaboard and parts of the mid-west in packaged bees and bee products. SHB, a sap beetle, is attracted to fermenting fruit, sap, and volatile by-products released from carbohydrate decay. Adult beetles defecate in honey stores, transferring fungi which cause fermentation. As a result, additional beetles are attracted to hives for mating and egg laying. Beetle larvae feed on honey, bee brood, and pollen stores eventually decimating hives. Literature searches failed to find toxicological studies on this species; therefore, this thesis proposes further research to understand its biochemistry in an effort to mitigate its effects on the honey bee, pollination, and honey industries.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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