Two years on, Karnataka beekeepers continue to face threat from small hive beetle

Two years on, Karnataka beekeepers continue to face threat from small hive beetle

Two years after the small hive beetle was first identified in Karnataka, local beekeepers report ongoing damage to colonies. The pest, which feeds on honey and brood, has reduced hive productivity and increased mortality. Authorities have issued guidelines for monitoring and control, but limited resources and the beetle’s rapid spread continue to threaten the state’s apiculture industry.