Nawar Nizar Mousa^1*

¹ Tartous Directorate of Agriculture, Tartous, Syria. 

(*Corresponding author: Nawar Nizar Mousa:  nawarmoussa1970@gmail.com, Tel: 0960087600)

Received: 21/ 9/ 2024      Accepted: 28/ 5/ 2025

Abstract: 

Beekeeping in Syria has a great importance as a small or medium-sized project that supports the agricultural economy and national income. It is considered the fourth producer of honey in the Arab world, and the Syrian honey is considered as one of the best types of honey in the world due to the good diversity of natural vegetation. Bee colonies in Syria suffer from: Parasite Varroa, Nosema, Chalkbrood and, and American brood (AFB). In recent years, a new and dangerous pest has been discovered that has invaded the world. It is the small hive beetle (SHB) Aethina tumida, came from its original habitat in Africa and then was recorded in the countries of North and South America, Australia, Europe and Asia, causing huge losses. This pest is considered a serious threat to beekeeping due to the role of bees in pollinating crop flowers, as it invades the brood and spoils the colony’s products within the hives and in stores as well. This pest has not been recorded in Syria yet, but it is necessary to be prepared for it, both at the official level and at the level of beekeepers, due to its importance, danger, and the difficulty of preventing and controlling.

Keywords: Aethina tumida Murray (SHB) Invasive Pest – Apis mellifera – Syria.

 Full paper in Arabic: PDF