We present the first study of infestation by the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, in a queenright colony of the stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria, a species used for pollination services. Nine managed hives were deployed outside the bee’s endemic range. After 2 months, including a heat wave of four consecutive days above 40 °C, one colony was visibly weakened with fewer foragers. This hive was removed from the site for the colony to recover. After a second heat wave, another colony was found weakened and infested with small hive beetle (SHB). Inside the hive, 14 adults and 133 larvae of SHB were discovered. Extreme daily maximum temperatures and low humidity appear to have weakened this colony. Our study highlights the need for careful placement of managed hives, as the SHB has potential to be a significant pest of stingless bees under adverse conditions.

中文翻译：

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关于热浪后无刺蜂（Tetragonula carbonaria）群落的小蜂巢甲虫侵扰的科学说明

我们展示了小蜂房甲虫 Aethina tumida 在无刺蜂 Tetragonula carbonaria（一种用于授粉服务的物种）的蚁后群体中侵扰的第一项研究。在蜜蜂的流行范围之外部署了九个管理蜂箱。2 个月后，包括连续四天超过 40 °C 的热浪，一个菌落明显变弱，觅食者减少。这个蜂巢被从该地点移走，以便菌落恢复。在第二次热浪之后，发现另一个菌落变弱并感染了小型蜂巢甲虫 (SHB)。在蜂巢内，发现了 14 只 SHB 成虫和 133 只幼虫。极端的每日最高温度和低湿度似乎削弱了这个群体。我们的研究强调了仔细放置管理荨麻疹的必要性，