Assesing Synthetic Amorphous Silica (SAS) for the management of small hive beetle (Aethina tumida)

Small Hive Beetles ( Aethina tumida) is a pest of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Native to southern Africa, the species is causing particular damage in the United States and Australia. A. tumida management is hindered by the species close physical proximity to its honey bee hosts. Early larval stages feed directly in the honeycomb, before emerging from the hive to pupate in the soil. Adults may also be found throughout the hives as they oviposit in the comb cell. Consequently, most management tactics focus on either trapping adult beetles in the hive via SHB West Trap, Pollen traps, etc or chemical management of pupating insects via insecticidal soil drenches. Only the use of (Coumaphos and Permethrin) are thought to assure 100% lethality of live beetles; but poured onto the soil, these substances potentially contaminate ground water and endanger other forms of life. The Davern Technology contains attributes that other insecticidal treatments do not contain such as being; all natural and general regarded as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.  The material can easily and effectively be sprayed into cracks and crevices and remains active for an extended period of time. The product is being tested in Australia for the control of fire ants, while early results suggest impressive efficacy, it is clear the type of soil is a determinate factor. The SAS particles have been show to adhere to the body of the beetles in lab trials.