1. First Record in India: The small hive beetle, a non-native species harmful to honeybee populations, has been reported for the first time in India.
  2. Detected in West Bengal: It was found in a fairly large colony of European honeybees (Apis mellifera) in an apiary in West Bengal.
  3. Origin and Spread: Originally identified in sub-Saharan Africa in 1867, the beetle has since spread to various parts of the world, causing significant damage.
  4. Presence in Asia: In the past decade, this pest has also been reported in Asian countries such as the Philippines, South Korea, and China.
  5. Threat to Beekeeping: The small hive beetle poses a major risk to beekeeping due to its ability to reproduce rapidly and spread quickly within colonies.