Bathinda, Sept. 8 -- The small hive beetle, an invasive honey bee predator species native to sub-Saharan Africa, has been detected in several parts of the state in the last two weeks, ringing alarm bells among beekeepers.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has flagged an alert as the beetle not only targets bees, their eggs and pollen, but also consumes the raw honey itself, leading to collapse of entire bee colonies.

Experts explained the beetle's activity also contaminated honey, rendering it unsuitable for human consumption, thereby greatly reducing yield.

As per official estimations, about 4,000 beekeepers (apiarists) in Punjab produce 20,000 tonnes of raw honey worth over Rs.200 crore annually.

The threat is not limited to beek...