On station performance evaluation of local honey bee colonies traits (Apis mellifera scutellata) in Gedeo zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

In Ethiopia, despite the potential of apicultural resource, production and productivity are relatively low. This could be due to many factors like management, environmental factors and races of honeybees. The aim of this study was to evaluate productive potentiality trait of local honeybee colonies for further colonies multiplication purpose. We obtained 20 selected strong honeybee colonies from local beekeepers within traditional hives and transferred into movable frame hive at Dilla site. All the transferred colonies were managed properly to establish themselves and acquire uniform strength. These colonies were evaluated for different parameters such as hygienic behavior, brood, pollen and nectar area, swarming and absconding tendency at different season. The result indicated that the mean percent removal per colony varied from 86.57 (February) to 99.62 (August). The highest brood rearing activity was observed in September and March that covered up to 148.9±14.16 unit areas while the least was observed during November (1.19±0.43) unit area. Maximum pollen and nectar area was found in October (97.5±12.40) unit area and April (81.88±9.47) unit area. While minimum pollen area (5.25±7.13) unit area and nectar (1.10±0.1) area was occupied in November. In general, the study showed that A. m. scutellata honeybees are good in hygienic behavior and brood rearing performance under optimum management practices in the study area. On average 25% of absconding was observed at study site over the last two years of the study period at the time of pollen and nectar shortage mainly November and May Therefore, it is recommended to investigate its detail behavioral aspects whether it is due to environmental or genetically factor for future selection and improvement.