- Joined
- Aug 14, 2012
- Messages
- 90
- Reaction score
- 69
- Location
- Aberteifi, West Wales
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 150 +
Hi all,
I came across this beetle today whilst doing my feeding runs. It was tucked under the edge of the hive roof (not inside though).
I've checked in all my books and researched the web.
It's a checkered (or chequered) beetle. It could be Trichodes Alvearius or Trichodes Apiarius. However, both these beetles have 3 orange bands across the abdomen whilst this beetle only had 2. Reading the research, Apiarius likes to feed on honey bee larvae and is also known as the Bee Beetle (hence the name Apiarius). It will also lay it's eggs in the combs. (Possible infestation issues?).
So....I'm not 100% absolutely sure. If anybody can help with a positive ID (our retired vet Dani maybe), I'd be eternally grateful.
Apologies for the poor focus but it was taken on an ancient iPhone.
Thanks guys and gals.
I came across this beetle today whilst doing my feeding runs. It was tucked under the edge of the hive roof (not inside though).
I've checked in all my books and researched the web.
It's a checkered (or chequered) beetle. It could be Trichodes Alvearius or Trichodes Apiarius. However, both these beetles have 3 orange bands across the abdomen whilst this beetle only had 2. Reading the research, Apiarius likes to feed on honey bee larvae and is also known as the Bee Beetle (hence the name Apiarius). It will also lay it's eggs in the combs. (Possible infestation issues?).
So....I'm not 100% absolutely sure. If anybody can help with a positive ID (our retired vet Dani maybe), I'd be eternally grateful.
Apologies for the poor focus but it was taken on an ancient iPhone.
Thanks guys and gals.