Beetles are most likely to be found in colonies that have been weakened by some other factor, usually mites. Larvae are most damaging because they feed on honey, stored pollen and bee brood. As they feed, brood and honey combs are damaged, especially as the larvae burrow through them. Larvae defecate in the honey causing it to ferment and bubble out of the cells. Bee brood rearing stops when beetle numbers are high and the bees may abandon a heavily infested colony. As the infestation builds, fermented honey may run out of the hive. This is often the first external symptom that is noticed. Beetles usually infest and damage stored comb and supers of honey. Wax cappings may also be infested. -John Skinner, University of Tennessee

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