Expected Reasons of Population Decline in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the relationship between colony survival and some preventive procedures. The experiments were conducted in Sulemani governorate during August, September and October 2020. Seventy-two colonies were tested in four localities ( Qaradax , Sulaimani center, Mergapan, and Sartake bamo ); (18 colonies for each location). The tested colonies were treated with; probiotics, formic acid, eucalyptus, Tetracycline and Terramycin. Larger brood area was found in all treated colonies compared to untreated ones. Colonies provided with probiotics showed significantly more brood than untreated colonies in the four locations. Maximum brood area was 203.667 (inch)2 in Sartake bamo followed by 199.667 (inch)2 in Mergapan; then 179.000 (inch)2 in Sulaimani center. While the brood area was not more than 15.667 (inch)2 in all untreated colonies in the four tested apiaries. Colonies provided with probiotics showed significantly more density of adult workers than untreated colonies in the four locations. Maximum area covered with adult workers (density) was 6.667 Lf. (Langstroth frame)in Sartake bamo followed by 6.333 Lf. inMergapan; then 6.000 Lf. in those treated with Formic acid in Sartake bamo. While the density of adult workers was not more than 1.000 Lf. in all untreated colonies in the four tested apiaries. Using probiotics and organic acid treatments were the best preventive measures.