On Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae: Nitidulinae) in hives of Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Campeche, México

Abstract

This paper reports for the first time the presence of Aethina tumida Murray, 1867 in hives of Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, established in the locality of Pucnachen Municipality of Calkini the State of Campeche, México. Nitidulids were collected manually on the honey combs in the frames of A. mellifera hives, defecating on honey and on the floor of the hives, fermenting honey making it useless. A. tumida is a potential pest in beekeeping due to direct damage caused to honey as a food product, causing significant economic losses for beekeepers of this region of México. Also, the presence of this beetle was verified for the first time in stingless bee colonies, which are of great importance in traditional honey production. A detailed morphological description of the beetle is provided.