Small hive beetle, Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae): chemical profile of the cuticle and possible chemical mimicry in a honeybee (Apis mellifera) pest

Abstract The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is an economically important pest of the Western honeybee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae). We investigated effect rearing environment on cuticular chemical profile adult A. , using hexane to extract hydrocarbons and other compounds from cuticles beetles. Beetles were collected colonies in Australia as well reared single sex laboratory cultures different diets. whether (laboratory vs. field, apiaries, access mating partners, diet) had any hydrocarbons. Coupled gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analyses extracts showed that significant qualitative quantitative effects detected. data support hypothesis profiles are contingent environment, partitioning basis diet source hives. finding has implications for regulation interactions between honeybees improvements targeting management strategies.