A scientific note on Aethina sp. in wild stingless bee nests

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Apidologie

Name of Author

• Michael N.K. Muturi, University of Bern
• Seunghyun Lee, Seoul National University
• Seunghwan Lee, Seoul National University
• Rebecca Denes, University of Bern
• H. Michael G. Lattorff, University of KwaZulu-Natal
• Kiatoko Nkoba, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
• Peter Neumann, University of Bern
• Alexis Beaurepaire, University of Bern

Publication Date

10-1-2026

Abstract

A few beetle species can be found in bee nests, ranging from occasional associates to harmful common parasites (Neumann and Ritter 2004; Krishnan et al. 2015; Camenzind et al. 2024; Wambua et al. 2025). In general, the host ranges of these beetles remain poorly understood, with the notable exception of small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, which is a well-known parasite of both wild and managed honey bee colonies as well as managed stingless bees and bumblebees (Neumann et al. 2016). However, whether any Aethina species are associated with wild stingless bee colonies remains unknown. Here, we report for the first time the association of a putative new species of Aethina with wild stingless bee colonies.

Keywords

Beetle associates, DNA barcoding, Host range, Microsatellites, Parasitology, Population genetics

Recommended Citation

Muturi, M., Lee, S., Lee, S., Denes, R., Lattorff, H., Nkoba, K., Neumann, P., & Beaurepaire, A. (2026). A scientific note on Aethina sp. in wild stingless bee nests. Apidologie, 57 (5) https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-026-01307-y