Population genetics of small hive beetle in Kenya

Managed honeybees play an essential role in their ecosystems through pollination. In addition, they provide valuable hive products (honey, wax), which enhances rural development specifically for beekeepers and their communities and promotes food security on a broader scale. However, several pests threaten the health of honeybees and damage their precious products across the globe. The small hive beetles (SHB) is one such pest. This invasive parasite has spread from its native range in sub-Saharan Africa and is now found almost globally. Consequently, it has become one of the main threats to its new honeybee host populations. Despite its importance, almost nothing is known about how SHB spreads and impacts its native host populations in Africa. Yet, this information is critical to allow designing new control strategies to mitigate the impact of the parasite in both its new and original ranges. My proposal will to tackle these two questions systematically for the first time. To achieve this, I will conduct a large-scale sampling of SHB in Kenya to understand whether and how this parasite has adapted to different climates and hosts in its native range and assess the damage caused by this parasite through citizen science and field surveys. Thus, my project will provide urgently required insights into mitigating this pest and increase the general knowledge of this significant global pest. Furthermore, since this beetle will for sure arrive eventually in Switzerland, Swiss beekeepers will also likely benefit from my project