Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner as an alternative control of small hive beetles, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae)
- Buchholz, S, Neumann, Peter, Neumann, K, Hepburn, H Randall
- Authors: Buchholz, S , Neumann, Peter , Neumann, K , Hepburn, H Randall
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011945
- Description: Small hive beetles, Aethina tumida Murray, are parasites and scavengers of honeybee colonies, Apis mellifera L., and have become an invasive species that can cause considerable damage in its new distribution areas. An effective subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (=Bt) would provide an alternative to chemical control of this pest. Therefore, we tested three different Bt strains [B. thuringiensis, var. aizawai (B401®), B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Novodor®) and B. thuringiensis var. San Diego tenebrionis (Jackpot®)] and Perizin® (3.2% coumaphos), each applied on combs with a pollen diet fed to pairs of adult beetles. This evaluates the products for the suppression of successful small hive beetle reproduction. While none of the tested Bt strains showed a significant effect on the number of produced wandering larvae, we could confirm the efficacy of coumaphos for the control of small hive beetles. We further show that it is also efficient when applied with a lower concentration as a liquid on the combs. We suggest the continued search for efficient Bt strains naturally infesting small hive beetles in its endemic and new ranges, which may become a part of the integrated management of this pest.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Buchholz, S , Neumann, Peter , Neumann, K , Hepburn, H Randall
- Date: 2006
- Language: English
- Type: Article
- Identifier: vital:6929 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011945
- Description: Small hive beetles, Aethina tumida Murray, are parasites and scavengers of honeybee colonies, Apis mellifera L., and have become an invasive species that can cause considerable damage in its new distribution areas. An effective subspecies of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (=Bt) would provide an alternative to chemical control of this pest. Therefore, we tested three different Bt strains [B. thuringiensis, var. aizawai (B401®), B. thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Novodor®) and B. thuringiensis var. San Diego tenebrionis (Jackpot®)] and Perizin® (3.2% coumaphos), each applied on combs with a pollen diet fed to pairs of adult beetles. This evaluates the products for the suppression of successful small hive beetle reproduction. While none of the tested Bt strains showed a significant effect on the number of produced wandering larvae, we could confirm the efficacy of coumaphos for the control of small hive beetles. We further show that it is also efficient when applied with a lower concentration as a liquid on the combs. We suggest the continued search for efficient Bt strains naturally infesting small hive beetles in its endemic and new ranges, which may become a part of the integrated management of this pest.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Floral resources of Apis mellifera capensis in the fynbos biome in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Addi, A, Phillipson, P, Hepburn, H Randall
- Authors: Addi, A , Phillipson, P , Hepburn, H Randall
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451845 , vital:75081 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32660
- Description: The plant species utilized by Cape honeybees, Apis mellifera capensis, as primary nectar and pollen sources were studied in the Eastern Cape Province in an area where fynbos vegetation mingles with grassland communities. From direct field observations and analyses of pollen loads collected by foragers, 54 plant species were identified as nectar and pollen sources. Of 37 endemic and exotic pollen source plants, Metalasia muricata, Eucalyptus grandis, E. camadulensis, Erica chamissonis, Helichrysum odoratissimum, H. anomalum, Crassula cultrata and Acacia longifolia were dominant species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Addi, A , Phillipson, P , Hepburn, H Randall
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/451845 , vital:75081 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32660
- Description: The plant species utilized by Cape honeybees, Apis mellifera capensis, as primary nectar and pollen sources were studied in the Eastern Cape Province in an area where fynbos vegetation mingles with grassland communities. From direct field observations and analyses of pollen loads collected by foragers, 54 plant species were identified as nectar and pollen sources. Of 37 endemic and exotic pollen source plants, Metalasia muricata, Eucalyptus grandis, E. camadulensis, Erica chamissonis, Helichrysum odoratissimum, H. anomalum, Crassula cultrata and Acacia longifolia were dominant species.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
Nestmate recognition and genetic variability among individuals from nests of the queenless ponerine ant, Streblognathus aethiopicus Smith (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
- Schluns, E A, Neumann, Peter, Schluns, H, Hepburn, H Randall, Moritz, Robin F A
- Authors: Schluns, E A , Neumann, Peter , Schluns, H , Hepburn, H Randall , Moritz, Robin F A
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452000 , vital:75094 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32667
- Description: Nestmate recognition in the queenless ponerine ant, Streblognathus aethiopicus, was evaluated with a behavioural bioassay. Ten pairs of nests were randomly chosen from an aggregation of 74 nests. While nestmates never showed aggression towards each other, the behaviour towards non-nestmates was either aggressive or non-aggressive, demonstrating the ability to recognize nestmates. Also, the nests in this aggregation were evenly spaced, further supporting the notion of territoriality in this species. To evaluate the relative importance of environment and genetics on the observed variation in nestmate recognition, we measured the spatial and genetic distances between nests. Workers of 13 nests were genotyped with the AFLP technique. Multiple regression analysis revealed no significant impact of spatial and genetic distance on aggressive behaviour. Thus, further studies are necessary to reveal the actual mechanisms underlying nestmate recognition in this species. Two distinct groups of nests with genetically homogeneous and heterogeneous workers were found, which may indicate gamergate replacement or colony fission.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Schluns, E A , Neumann, Peter , Schluns, H , Hepburn, H Randall , Moritz, Robin F A
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/452000 , vital:75094 , https://hdl.handle.net/10520/EJC32667
- Description: Nestmate recognition in the queenless ponerine ant, Streblognathus aethiopicus, was evaluated with a behavioural bioassay. Ten pairs of nests were randomly chosen from an aggregation of 74 nests. While nestmates never showed aggression towards each other, the behaviour towards non-nestmates was either aggressive or non-aggressive, demonstrating the ability to recognize nestmates. Also, the nests in this aggregation were evenly spaced, further supporting the notion of territoriality in this species. To evaluate the relative importance of environment and genetics on the observed variation in nestmate recognition, we measured the spatial and genetic distances between nests. Workers of 13 nests were genotyped with the AFLP technique. Multiple regression analysis revealed no significant impact of spatial and genetic distance on aggressive behaviour. Thus, further studies are necessary to reveal the actual mechanisms underlying nestmate recognition in this species. Two distinct groups of nests with genetically homogeneous and heterogeneous workers were found, which may indicate gamergate replacement or colony fission.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
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