Sap-feeding Beetles
What are they?
A group of generally small and dark beetles that mostly feed on plant sap, rotting fruit and other sweet or fermenting products. They are such a diverse group, however, that some species have complex associations with bees or ants, while others feed on carrion. These are small and easily-overlooked species but they may sometimes be found feeding at flowers during the summer months.
Identification
A difficult group as most species are small and rather nondescript.
Small Hive Beetle Aethina tumida
Introduced from South Africa and first recorded in North America in 1998. A small, dark reddish brown beetle that has become a serious pest of bee hives. While they do not pose a direct threat to the bees, their number can overwhelm the hive, causing the queen and swarm to abandon the colony and depart.
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