• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.119-131
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• 2017

For the Rapid detection of small hive beetle (SHB; Aethina tumida) and for the mass-survey against SHB invasion, SHB-specific ultra-rapid PCR system was developed. Three different pairs of Aethina tumida-specific primers were deduced from cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) gene in mitochondrial DNA of SHB. Using optimized SHB-specific ultra-rapid PCR, $2.1{\times}10^1$ molecules of COI gene belonged to SHB could be detected specifically and quantitatively within 18 minutes 40 seconds. For the purpose of the application in apiary field, a DNA extraction method from bee debris was separatedly developed. When $10^5$ SHB-specific COI molecules (1/1000 body of SHB larvae) are existed in 1g of bee debris, it could be verified inner 10 minutes as qualitative and quantitative manner. SHB-specific ultra-rapid PCR we proposed would be expected to apply widely, either in apiary field or laboratory, for the rapid detections and the control against SHB-invasion.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.163-170
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• 2017

Small hive beetle (SHB, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is a honeybee pest infesting combs and stores inside the hive. Contamination of the SHB on Apis mellifera colonies were firstly noticed on September 23, 2016, in Miryang City, Gyeongnam Province in Korea. After that, on October 5, 2016, we investigated the spatial distribution of SHB inside the hive and outside soil within the apiary. Total of 169 beehives were observed. We found all stages of SHB inside or outside of hives. 61% of hives infested with the adult SHB still had live honeybees whereas hives containing larval SHB did not have bees, implying colony destruction In hives with live bees, infestation density was higher as bee population became higher. Coefficient of dispersions (CD) showed significant clumped distribution of infestation among hives. CDs were much higher inside hive than outside soil. Our results indicates SHB could result in honeybee colony collapse it not managed properly. Also even during October, there are new infestation into honeybee colonies and every stage of SHB could still be able to develop. Further detailed analysis of this insect' adaptation in Koran environment could help guide the management strategies of the invaded new pest of honeybee.