Year: 2026
Type: review
Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis
Abstract: The small hive beetle ( Aethina tumida ) is a significant global pest of honey bees, causing colony losses and adversely affecting pollination services. Numerous control strategies have been developed, yet their relative effectiveness remains uncertain making it difficult for beekeepers to select among available options. We conducted a meta-analysis utilising only studies that reported quantitative paired treatment-control results with extractable means, measures of variance, and sample sizes. This resulted in the inclusion of 25 eligible studies, comprising 175 treatment trials. Treatments included chemical pesticides and biological controls (entomopathogenic nematodes), as well as physical traps and barriers. Overall, small hive beetle control methods are highly effective, with treatment category effect sizes ranging from 2.24 to 3.37 Hedges’ g (very large effect relative to untreated controls). On average treatments showed a reduction in beetle survival by 58%. However, despite diverse methodologies and contexts, the meta-analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the examined treatment categories. Laboratory studies were found to overstate treatment effectiveness in comparison to field conditions (Hedges’ g = 4.45, 95% CrI 3.06–6.12 vs 2.90, 95% CrI 1.16–4.57), indicating field-based evaluations are essential for realistic management expectations. Additionally, moderate heterogeneity among studies (Bayesian I 2 = 38%, 95% CrI 19–59%) suggested that treatment outcomes vary depending on other variables such as colony health, management practices, or even environmental conditions. These results indicate that while no single treatment consistently outperforms others, there are several options that can provide a substantial impact on beetle reduction. This demonstrated the necessity for integrated pest management approaches tailored to specific local conditions. Future research should focus on standardised field assessments, exploring synergistic combinations of treatments to enhance hive beetle control efficacy. Importantly, honey bee health also needs to be considered alongside beetle control, but is rarely reported in studies.
Source: Apidologie
Authors: Thea Larsen, Alexander Mikheyev
Institution: Australian National University
Language: English
Subfield: Insect Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,990
OpenAlex ID: W7221359199