Beneficial Nematodes for Hive Beetle Control

Amanda Rose Newton07.10.2013

What is a Nematode??

Small worm-like creatures that like insects are classified as Arthropods

Most plentiful animal on earth

MicroscopicBoth destructive

and beneficial

Nematodes

Nematodes have funky lifestyles!

Can be hermaphroditic or reproduces with mate once inside host

Been used in biocontrol since 1960s

Primarily used for caterpillars, grubs, maggots, etc. due to host seeking abilities

Recently used successfully against snails and slugs

Hive Beetles

Small scarab beetle native to South Africa

Has been in US for roughly 30 years

Super Problematic in the South- loves heat and humidity!

Overwinters underground in soil as grubs

Life Cycle

1. Adult moves into colony

2. Builds Population3. Reproduces4. Damage to brood,

pollen, and honey5. Larvae leaves to

pupate6. Pupation and

Emergence7. Reinvasion

What is the Problem?

Hive beetles feed on honey, dead bees, and pollen.

Extremely destructive to the hive

Fecal matter discolors honey product and changes flavor; unsuitable for consumption

Current Solutions

Traps- several that attach at base or along sides of hive

Chemicals- many pyrethin based chemical tags on market

Nematodes

Effective?

Beetle traps are certainly effective for adults

NOT effective for control of larva!

Hive Beetle Trap Efficacy

How Nematode Control Works

Form of biocontrolTargets beetles

BEFORE destructive adult stage!

Nematodes consume larva and reduce number of adult emergence in spring

Ideal for keepers who already are seeing issues

Nematode Research

3 year Grant from EBA to study 2 species of nematodes and efficacy on hive beetle control

Began in Fall 2012 since targets were overwintering as larva

2 species- Heterorhabditis indica and Steinrnema carpocapsae reared in lab.

Releases will be made as soon as first freeze takes effect

Results measured following spring

Lab nematodes were also fed hive beetle larva in controlled setting to determine efficacy

Protocol

Nematodes monitored in lab, kept in cadavers of hive beetles, mealworms, and Japanese beetles.

In 2 years of study, showed little preference among three

Area around hive sectioned into grid and cadavers were collected from area following application

Steinernema carpocapsae

These nematodes are fairly broad spectrum and are effective against weevils, borers, rootworms, armyworms, Japanese beetle, and hive beetles.

Hive Beetle Efficacy assumed but not well documented.

Testing to determine feeding preference of this species.

Heterorhabditis indica

Heat and cold tolerant

Used primarily for white grubs and hive beetle control

Also successful in greenhouses for many gnat species

Well Researched

Efficacy of Nematode Treatment

Ellis JD, Delaplane KS, et al. published a paper that stated soil injected nematodes allowed for beetle control for +/- 19 weeks resulting in 76-94% mortality

Just 15 days post-application, soil treatments caused 78% control in a study by Shapiro-Ilan DI, et al.

How Nematodes Work

Nematodes are injected into soil or simply watered over area in a solution.

They will immediately “seek out” potential host

Penetrates larva through openings

Release bacteria into bloodstream

Causes septicemia and kills host in 24-48 hrs

Where to get Nematodes

Several Mail Order Companies

Some nurseriesGrow your own!

Creating Your Own Culture

You can set up your own culture at home- very cost effective!

All you need is a 4-6 oz Tupperware container, moist soil, and meal worm or other grub to serve as “volunteer” cadavers

1. Make the Housing

Supplies: ◦Tupperware container◦Lid with air holes◦Moist soil◦Water◦Meal Worms

2. Prepare meal media

Remember, nematodes count as “aquatic” species

Soil should be moistened with water until darkened

Then, it can be added to container with mealworms

Oats can be added as mealworm chow, if you feel generous

Add your nemas and your mealworms

3. Removing nematodes

You probably won’t be able to see your nematodes

Note that adults live about 15 days, but will hopefully reproduce

Fun Fact: bacteria associated with Heterorhabditis sp. Will turn your cadavers orange/red- good indicator that things are moving along as planned.

Long Term Nematode Rearing

If plan on keeping nematodes year round, recommend compost bucket method

Predatory nematodes need a variety of food sources and living in compost provides this

Similar to Vermiculture; low maintenance

KEEP MOIST

Releasing Nematodes

To get nematodes ready for release, can mix with small amount of water in spray bottle or put in small injector bottle

Due to small size, should be able to spray easily

If going compost route, just scoop and place around area and water.

Optimal Release Times

Hive Beetle Larva overwinter so the best time to release nematodes is when we know they are in ground!

Recommended to release after the first frost, before pupal development.

January-April

Monitoring Efficacy

Can be hard to determine if nematodes are doing their job!

Best way: OBSERVATION!◦ Take notes◦ Look for cadavers in soil◦ Observe numbers of

adults in spring◦ Compare to previous

years

Questions?