Hive Type Research Articles

The Effect of Hive Type on Colony Homeostasis and Performance in the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera).

The colonies of honey bees are mostly sessile organisms. Consequently, the type of nest boxes that beekeepers provide to their bees should impact a colony's ability to maintain homeostasis, which is a key determinant of performance and fitness. Here, we used European honey bees (Apis mellifera) and provided them with two hive setups widely used and known as Langstroth and Warré. We compared colony performance in a Mediterranean climate for five months from late spring to early autumn, which covered the most active time of bees and included periods of heat and drought. We found that irrespective of hive type or season, honey bees kept hive temperature and humidity within a remarkably narrow range. Nevertheless, the hive type impacted the daily fluctuations in temperature and humidity. In Warré hives, where bees have more autonomy to build and maintain their combs, we found that bees were able to reduce daily fluctuations in temperature and humidity and kept both measures closer to the overall average. This increase in colony homeostasis found in Warré hives negatively correlated with other hive performance indicators, such as immunocompetence. We conclude that different hive types affect key areas, such as the central part of the colony with frames of developing brood or the queen, which are the most susceptible individuals. This implies that climatic changes resulting in extreme weather events are expected to impact colony performance and fitness, especially in non-managed honey bees that are limited by available nesting sites. For managed bees, adaptations to existing hive setups could be provided to help bees minimize the effects of abiotic stress.

The Status of Beekeeping in Simada District, Amhara, Ethiopia, with Its Challenges and Opportunities

The study was designed to assess the existing beekeeping practices, constraints, and potential of honeybee production in Simada district. The study was carried out in four proportionally selected kebeles of highland, midland, and lowland agro-ecology. Accordingly, a total sample size of 146 beekeepers, depending on their potential, was interviewed using a structured and semi-structured questionnaire. A semi-structured questionnaire, field observation, and focal group discussion were employed to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The majority of beekeepers in the district are mail-headed, and the majority can read and write. Beekeepers practiced three hive types but mostly used traditional hives. The majority of honeybee colonies are found in midland agro-ecology, but they are not significantly different (P<0.05). About 57.5% of beekeepers obtain their colony through buying, and their colony increases through reproductive swarming. Beekeepers construct both traditional and top-bar hives from the surrounding available material. Frame hives were obtained from GOs on a credit basis. Beekeepers indicated that the majority of honey was harvested in October and November. The second minor harvesting period was from May to June, which depends on the nature of the yearly rainfall conditions. As the respondent's described, they stored honey below one year in a plastic jar, clay jar, and plastic sack when plenty of products were obtained and for medicinal value, unless they used honey during harvesting as a source of income. Predators and pests are major constraints on honey bee production, followed by pesticides and herbicides in the study area. Other identified beekeeping constraints were shown in relative order of importance: drought, death of colony, lack of water, migration, and disease are some of the problems that hinder productivity. Honeybees required feed supplementation during the dry season; about 28% of beekeepers fed their colonies with higher supplements made from February to April. The commonly used supplements were peas and bean flour (Shiro), barley flour (Besso), sugar, honey, and others, including Niger.

Diagnostic study on major honeybee disease, pests and predators in North Western Ethiopia.

The study was conducted in Pawe district from Benishangul-Gumuz and Jawi and Fagita Lekoma districts from the Amhara region to investigate major honeybee pests, predators and diseases. Using a purposive sampling technique, 183 households were interviewed, and 240 samples were collected for laboratory analysis of bee disease; data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The share of hive types owned by sampled respondents was 88.6%; overall, 1.1% and 10.3% were traditional, transitional and modern beehives, respectively. About 92% of the sample respondents acquired their base colonies by catching swarm bees on the apex of trees. The majority of beekeepers executed external inspections of their colony, whereas only 50% carried out internal inspections. Based on the responses of beekeepers, around 48.9%, 56.3% and 23.1% of colonies absconded every year from Pawe, Jawi and Fagita Lekoma districts, respectively. Ants, wax moths, bee lice, beetles, spiders, birds, monkeys and honey badgers were the major honeybee pests and predators discovered in study areas in decreasing order. Concerning the incidence of Varroa mites, Nosema apis and amoeba disease, 27.5%, 60% and 71.6% of samples showed positive results in study locations, respectively. From this result, we observed that ants, wax moths, bee lice, beetles, spiders, birds, monkeys and honey badgers were the major honeybee pests and predators. The prevalence of amoeba disease was comparatively higher in highland areas and in the summer season. This finding suggests the need for the alertness of beekeepers in controlling bee disease and pests and strengthening bee colonies through seasonal colony management. There should be a strict quarantine, and check-up undertaken when a new colony is purchased from one region to another is essential.

Diagnostic Survey of Honeybee Diseases, Pests and Predators in Selected Districts of West Hararghe Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Darolabu, Ciro and Gemechis Districts of West Hararghe Zone with the objective of determining the occurrence and prevalence of honeybee diseases, pests and predators and their effects on honeybee colonies and bee products in selected districts of West Hararghe Zone. Three districts were purposefully selected based on their relative beekeeping potentials in highland, midland and lowland agro–ecologies. Three Kebeles from each district and ten beekeepers from each Kebeles were selected for the interview. For major honey bee diseases and pest examination, a total of 68 suspected bee colonies were sampled. Out of the total respondents, 58% and 77.4% of beekeepers replied that honeybee colonies and honey yield, respectively, were decreasing from time to time. The respondents listed a lack of bee forages, disease, pest and predators as the major constraints of beekeeping in the study area in their decreasing orders. Wax moth, honey badger and hive beetles were more commonly occurring pests and predators, while nosema and amoeba were among the important diseases. The prevalence all bee diseases and pests including nosema, amoeba, varroa mite, bee lice, wax moth, and small hive beetle, was not associated with either agro-ecology or hive type. The factors contributing for their prevalence across all agro-ecologies and hive types need further study.

Včelařství v Čechách a na Moravě v 16.–18. století ve světle tištěných příruček

The article deals with beekeeping in Bohemia, and marginally also in Moravia, in the period between the16th and18th century, more precisely until 1789, when the first purely Czech beekeeping manual entitled Aučinlivé spravování včel pro obecného krajana v Království českém by Josef Antonín Janiš was published. Until now, we have believed that Janiš was the first to introduce extension beekeeping in Bohemia, in log hives. The author shows, however, that in the period preceding his writings, far from being a primitive method of keeping beehives in log hives, the industry had many forms and local differences depending on various subjective and objective conditions, among which the knowledge, experience and capabilities of the beekeeper, the types of hives used, the conditions of theirs habitat can be counted. The aim of the work is to introduce the sources to a hitherto unprocessed period of the beekeeping industry with practices often bizarre, reflecting the extinct zootechnics.

Mesilased eesti usundilises folklooris

The article traces changes in human cognitive and social development using the example of the only domesticated insect, the bee. From the 13th to the 20th century, forest bee-keeping spread, using live trees as beehives, and later also log hives on the ground. The ways of keeping bees changed fundamentally in the 19th century with the introduction of new types of hives, and they also consolidated beliefs in relation to bees. Bees had numerous special names, euphemisms were used when talking about them and in incantations, in which bees were called men/workers or other kinship terms were used, and they were also called domestic animals of the guardian fairies. The article presents beliefs about bees as soul animals and various mythical stories that were associated with the journey of the soul, as well as the popular belief about the connection between the death of the owner and the bees. While earlier on honey denoted an abundant and ideal life in the minds of people, the bee represented a hardworking, loyal person, and bees were the epitome of the motherland in texts expressing national identity. In the foreground is the search for balance between human and other beings, human and the environment, which is expressed, e.g., by the declaration of the rights of bees and the development trends of urban representation.

Socio technical characteristics of beekeeping and honey production in Cameroon

From January to December 2022, a study was carried out in Cameroon to have a global overview of apiculture in the aspect of production, technics and finances. In order to achieve these objectives, a sample of 113 beekeepers was surveyed within the country and databases of the livestock, Agriculture Ministries and National Statistics Institute were consulted. The results showed that beekeeping in Cameroon is mainly done by men (76%), and that beekeepers' ages range from 15 to over 60 years old and are either pure beekeepers, practising beekeeping as the only activity or partial beekeepers whose activity is secondary to another. Three types of hives are used by beekeepers with a significant difference between the areas (p<0.0001) namely conical made of straw in the Sudano-Guinean area, trapezoidal made of wood for the Kenyan Top Bar Hive (KTBH) and parallelepipedal for the Langstroth hives and its variants in the bimodal forest and western highlands areas. An average number of 36.18±20.23 hives per beekeeper was obtained, with an annual average production of 14.56±11.68 litres per hive. Sales revenue per beekeeper obtained was 583,015.27 ± 72,369.52 FCFA (1,166.03 ±144.74 USD) with a significant difference (p<0.001) between the areas. This study has given an insight into Cameroonian apiculture and the overall results suggest that the country has one of the greatest potential in the continent with an increase in production over the last five years.

Health status of honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera) and disease-associated risk factors in different agroecological zones of Southwest Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study design was conducted in different agroecological zones of southwest Ethiopia from October 2019 to October 2021. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for honeybee diseases and pests, as well as the impact of these issues on honeybee colonies and their products. To identify potential risk factors for honeybee disease and pests, a multivariate random effects logistic regression analysis was used. Adult honeybee and brood samples from a total of 384 honeybee colonies were collected and tested using standard laboratory diagnostic methods. The highest prevalence (55.8%) of ants was recorded, followed by wax moths (22.5%) and hive beetles (23.3%). In the current study, the main honeybee diseases observed in the study areas were varroosis (36.5%), bee lice (5.2%), nosemosis (39.6%), amoeba (56%), and chalkbrood (4.5%). However, tracheal mites, sachbrood, and American and European foul brood, were not detected. The agroecological zone (OR = 5.2, 95% CI: 1.75–14.85), type of hive (OR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.17–17.03), management system (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.23–14.70), and the management of the colony (OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.31–9.14) were identified as risk factors for varroosis in these areas. The occurrence of nosemosis in colonies was also influenced by the agroecological zone (OR = 12.2, 95% CI: 3.06–48.54) and colony management (OR = 3.4, 95% CI: 1.59–7.23). The agroecological zone (OR = 10.5, 95% CI: 12.76–22.63) and hive type (OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.39–6.36) were the primary risk factors for the occurrence of amoeba in honeybee colonies. However, the occurrence of bee lice (OR = 34.7, 95% CI: 3.96–104.93) and chalkbrood (OR = 4.8, 95% CI: 1.44–13.16) in honeybee colonies was only influenced by the agroecological zone in the study areas. This study demonstrated that losses in honey production in the area are significantly attributed to honeybee disease and pests. Therefore, it is essential to increase public awareness of how honeybee diseases and pests affect honey production and to develop and implement appropriate control measures for these diseases and pests. Furthermore, more studies should be conducted to characterize and isolate other causes of honeybee diseases and pests in various locations.

Physico-chemical characteristics of honey produced from northeastern Ethiopia

The research was carried out to determine the physico-chemical quality aspects of honey harvested from northeastern Ethiopia. Twenty four honey samples were collected from four locations and two hive types. R software was used to analyze the data. The average values were 14.47%, 0.28%, 28.22 meq/kg, 4.28, 48.48 mg/kg, 13.75 Goth scale, 2.56%, and 52.43% for moisture, ash, acidity, pH value, hydroxyl-methyl-furfural (HMF), diastase, sucrose, and reducing sugars, respectively. The honey of highlands (17.43%) was higher (P < 0.05) in moisture than lowland (14.48%) implicating highland lower in quality. Highland honey has a higher acidity (P < 0.05) probably due to soil nature. Honey from lowland, midland, and market were higher (P < 0.05) than highland in HMF. Diastase from traditional (16.32 Goth scale) was higher than frame hives (11.19 Goth scale), and sucrose from highland (3.88%) was higher (P < 0.05) than market (1.68%) although both were within the acceptable limits. Generally, the moisture, ash, acidity, diastase, sucrose, and pH contents of the honey were within the limits set for honey quality standards. However, in HMF and reducing sugars, it had not met the European standard. To make the honey exportable to international market, HMF and reducing sugars should be improved to the required level.

Bees in folk belief and practices before and now

The article traces changes in human cognitive and social development using the example of the domesticated insect, the bee. From the 13th to the 20th century, forest bee-keeping spread, using live trees as beehives, and later also log hives on the ground. The ways of keeping bees changed fundamentally in the 19th century with the introduction of new types of hives, and they also consolidated beliefs in relation to bees. Bees had numerous special names, euphemisms were used when talking about them and in incantations, in which bees were called men/workers or other kinship terms were used, and they were also called domestic animals of the guardian fairies. The article presents beliefs about bees as soul animals and various legends that were associated with the journey of the soul, as well as the popular belief about the connection between the death of the owner and the bees. While earlier on honey denoted an abundant and ideal life in the minds of people, the bee represented a hardworking, loyal person, and bees were the epitome of the motherland in texts expressing national identity.

Physicochemical characteristics of honey produced in Arba Minch Zuria district of Gamo zone, Southern Ethiopia

Honey is a food rich in nutrients essential for human life and its composition as well as quality varies greatly. The study was conducted in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia to determine the physicochemical properties of honey. A total of 20 honey samples were collected from farm gates and local markets. Honey quality parameters like moisture content, sugars (fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose), pH, free acidity, HMF and ash (mineral) contents were tested according to the procedures described by International Honey Commission (IHC) (2009). The overall mean values of moisture, pH, free acidity, hydroxymethylfurfuraldehyde (HMF), total ash, electrical conductivity, fructose, glucose, maltose and sucrose of the analyzed honey samples were 19.27±1.99%, 3.80±0.24, 34.04±14.21meq/kg, 13.09±4.47mg/kg, 0.23±0.09%, 0.55±0.16mS/cm, 39.95±4.09%, 33.75±5.71%, 0.99±0.38% and 2.08±1.73%, respectively. Moisture content was significantly (p&amp;lt;0.05) affected by both agroecology and hive type for honey samples from farm gates. Honey samples from local markets had significantly (p&amp;lt;0.001) higher moisture, free acidity and sucrose content than honey samples obtained from households in three agroecologies. The study indicated that all honey samples obtained from farm gates and a majority of samples collected from local markets in the study area are of good quality and meet the national and international standard limits. However, some honey samples collected from local markets had a higher level of sucrose than recommended limit suggesting adulteration of honey.

The effects of hive materials on phytochemical and biological properties of honeybee propolis

AbstractBackgroundPropolis has been of interest due to its indisputably rich chemical composition. It has gained attention in recent years because of its potential biological properties, such as antibacterial, cariostatic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective. Therefore, there has been an increased demand for ways to benefit from these potential impacts by enriching the nutritional value, quality, and functionality of food products. Propolis antioxidants, antibacterial, and antifungal properties make it useful in food technology.Our present study was conducted to investigate the effects of beehive material on the phytochemical and bio‐functional properties of propolis. In this study, propolis was obtained from three different hive types: concrete, mud, and wood. The phytochemical content and bioactivities of the samples were analysed. Total phenolic content (TPC), total terpenoid content (TTC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total alkaloid content (TAC), 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial activity were determined.ResultsThe highest phytochemical composition was determined in concrete beehives, followed by mud hives and wood hives in this study. Likewise, for bioactivities, concrete hives demonstrated a high level of both antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity for both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria.ConclusionThis suggests that the hive material shows a noticeable effect on propolis biochemical properties, apart from being influenced by climate and vegetation.

Assessment of Value Chain for Honey and Beeswax Initiatives in Zanzibar

Honey and beeswax production in Zanzibar become important activities in raising livelihood income for rural communities. However, it is still difficult for the production yielded from these to contribute to fighting rural poverty. This research study is geared towards analyzing the performance and efficiency of the honey and beeswax value chain and its challenges in order to disclose opportunities and synergy for reducing income poverty to beekeepers in Zanzibar. The study conducted in Zanzibar focusing both Unguja and Pemba Island, covering two districts from each Island. Descriptive research using both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from primary and secondary sources. Questionnaire was administered to 120 respondents randomly and proportionally selected from beekeepers in four districts. Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews and Field visits were also conducted. Data were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) versions 2016 with Excel Spread Sheet in Office 2016. The result revealed that, the major value chain activities involved were input supply, production, processing, marketing to final consumers. The actors identified were input supplier, producers, processors, traders, and consumers. The study also revealed that, majority 80.4% of beekeepers use traditional/ log hives which proved to give low yield in this study. The result also portrayed that, about 2.8% of respondents that use Langstroth hives whereas 16.0% use top bar hive It was also found that annual average yield of honey per hive types was 9.09litres from traditional/log hive, 10 liters from Top bar hives and 16.85 litres from Langstroth hives. The price of unprocessed honey ranges from TZS 20,000 to 30,000 (9 to 14 US $) per liter while processed honey is T.SH 35,000 to 40,000 (15 to 17 US$) per litre. Various challenges were identified including inadequate supply of modern hive and equipment, climate change and variability, inadequate training and extension services, deforestation and forest fire, inversion of diseases pests and predator, lack of honey processing and marketing centre as well as capital. The profitability analysis indicates that, the annual net revenue per hive is TZS 203,347(US$ 93) for traditional /log hive, TZS 227,166 (US$ 103) for Top bar hive and TZS 342,536 (US$ 156) for Langstroth hive.

Does sending honey bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae), colonies to lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium (Ericaceae), for pollination increase Nosema spp. (Nosematidae) spore loads?

Abstract In the Canadian Maritimes, many beekeepers rent honey bee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), hives to growers of lowbush blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium (Ericaceae), for pollination services. Anecdotally, hives have less vigour following pollination, potentially due to higher Nosema spp. (Nosematidae) spore loads, the microsporidian causing nosemosis. We undertook a study to determine whether sending honey bee hives to lowbush blueberry fields for pollination (blueberry hives) results in higher Nosema spp. spore loads relative to hives remaining in apiaries (home hives). Nosema spp. spore loads were quantified using light microscopy. Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae were differentiated using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Nosema spp. spore loads were greatest in April and May and declined to low levels from June to September. Ninety-eight per cent of Nosema detections were positive for N. ceranae. In April, blueberry hives had a lower spore load than home hives did; however, in June, spore loads were significantly higher in blueberry hives. No other differences in Nosema spp. spore loads were observed between hive types. We conclude that Nosema ceranae is the dominant Nosema species in the Canadian Maritimes and that using hives for lowbush blueberry pollination does not appear to influence long-term Nosema spp. spore loads.

The effects of different beehives on propolis production and quality

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of wood, styrofoam and plastic beehives on propolis production and phenolic content. In this study, propolis was obtained in three different periods as follows: before, during and after honey production. The yield and quality of the collected raw propolis samples were analyzed. Total phenolic (TP) content, total tannin (TT) content, total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) and phenolic composition were determined as propolis quality parameters. The highest propolis production was determined in wood beehives, followed by styrofoam and plastic beehives in this study. The analysis of temporal propolis production demonstrated that 9.29 ± 11.37 g was produced in post-season, 2.88 ± 4.48 g was produced in the season, and 1.23 ± 0.80 g was produced in pre-season. Duncan and LSD multiple comparison tests, which were conducted to compare the hive groups and the collection periods, demonstrated that the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the highest TP and FRAP values were found in plastic beehives, suggesting that the propolis phenolic content and antioxidant capacity varied based on the hive type and collection period.

Assessment of Gmelina, Danta Solid Wood and Plywood Hive Types for Beekeeping

The study was carried out to compare the performance of wood hive types and plywood hive types in three different vegetation types between June 2018 and May 2020 in Akure South local Government of Ondo State, Nigeria. A total of eighteen (18) Kenyan Top Bar hives made from Danta, Gmelina and plywood were constructed at six (6) each per wood types. Two (2) each of Danta, Gmelina and Plywood hives were installed in three locations: Natural Forest, Plantation forest and cocoa farmland. The rate of colonization of each hive was evaluated at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months after installation in the field. The results revealed that plywood hive type was not colonized in the natural forest throughout the period of study while Danta and Gmelina each recorded 50% colonization at the end of the experiment. In plantation forest, each of the Plywood and Gmelina hives recorded 50% colonization at 24 months after installation while bees in Danta hives absconded before 24th months after installation. In cocoa farmland, Gmelina recorded 100% colonization at 24 months, Danta recorded 50% colonization at 24 months and plywood accounted for 100% colonization at 24 months after installation. An improvement was recorded in the colonization performance at 12,18, 24 month after installation of hives. Plywood hives installed in the cocoa farmland and plantation accounted for higher colonization percentage than natural forest.

Study on Major Parasitic Diseases of Adult Honeybees in Three Districts of Kaffa Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Results Out of 384 samples, the overall prevalence of small hive beetle, Nosema apis, and amoeba (Malpighamoeba mellificae) diseases was 39%, 45.3%, and 40.3%, respectively. The overall prevalence of these three diseases was ascertained, with a statistically significant (p < 0.05) variation in the overall prevalence of N. apis disease and amoeba (M. mellificae) disease between hive type and agroecologies. Conclusion The research indicates that N. apis, M. mellificae, and small hive beetle are the major parasites that affect honeybees in the study area. In order to classify and describe honeybee diseases and pests associated with Ethiopia's local honeybees, several field diagnostic surveys and laboratory research works need to be performed.

Risk and protective indicators of beekeeping management practices

Explaining the reasons for the high honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony loss rate in recent years has become a top global research priority in apicultural and agricultural sciences. Although there are indications of the role played by beekeeping management practices on honey bee health, very little information is currently available. Our study aimed to characterize the beekeeping management practices carried out in Belgium, and to determine the relationship between beekeeping management practices and colony losses. Variables obtained from face-to-face questioning of a representative randomized and stratified sample of Belgian beekeepers (n = 186) were integrated into a logistic regression model (univariate and multivariate) and correlated to the declared colony loss rates to identify risk and protective indicators. We used a classification tree analysis to validate the results. We present evidence of a relationship between poor beekeeping management practices and colony losses. The main factors protecting honey bee colonies are the aptitude of the beekeeper to change his management practices, the hive type, the equipment origin and hygiene, wintering in proper conditions (the use of divider boards, i.e. board blocks or space fillers off part of the hive body), the colony strength estimation before wintering, winter monitoring, and last but not least, appropriate integrated pest management. Proper estimation of the Varroa infestation level should be performed prior to treatment. The consequences of poor beekeeping practices on honey bee health can be addressed by proper training of beekeepers. An online tool was developed and published for beekeepers allowing them to evaluate the effect of their management practices on colony health.

Rapid measurement of the adult worker population size in honey bees

Changes in agricultural practices have lead to pollination deficits in entomophilous crops, leading to a growing interest in supplementing farmlands with managed colonies of honey bee, Apis mellifera. However, the metrics of a colony as a pollination unit is controversial due to the wide range of adult population sizes encountered in a colony, especially in relation with the time of year and beekeeping management. Correctly measuring the number of adult honey bees per hive is critical for farmers to adjust the number of colonies they need to meet crop pollination demand. We tested a simple non-invasive method to estimate the adult worker population size of colonies based on common beekeeping handlings. This method consisted in counting the number of inter-frames covered with adult bees (called IFB thereafter) from above the hive body. Based on the monitoring of 181 colonies, we investigated the nature of the relation between IFB and the adult bee population size and its context-dependence to the meterological conditions and hive type. We then evaluated the possible improvement of the method with additional IFB counted in the supers and from below the hive body. Finally, we analysed the robustness of the method by comparing estimates obtained from colonies observed by experimented and naive observers. We revealed a clear-cut logarithmic relation between the IFB and the adult population size, covering the effects of meteorological conditions and hive type. The counting of IFB from above the hive body were particularly sensitive to meteorological conditions, unlike those counted from below the hive body. Moreover, the counting of additional IFB from the supers slightly improved the estimates of adult population size. Interestingly, no difference of estimate was detected between experimented and naive observers, suggesting applied simplicity of the method. The IFB counting method thus provides a simple, non-invasive and robust indicator of the adult population size of a managed honey bee colony. The counting of IFB from below the hive body should be recommend due to the sensitivity to meteorological conditions of the counting of IFB from above the hive body. Beyond crop pollination, we also highlighted application perspectives of this method as an indicator of survival probability. This method can therefore be viewed as a standard for routine field monitoring (i) to help farmers to estimate rigorously the number of colonies they need to meet the crop pollination demand and (ii) to help beekeepers assessing the mortality risk of their colonies.

Honey Bee Colony Absconding and Associated Risk Factors Facing Beekeepers in Bure Zuria Woreda, North Western Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, beekeeping is based on traditional hives which accounts for more than 95.5% of the hive types while transitional and frame beehives are about 4.3% and 0.2% respectively. The aim of this study was to assess honeybee colony absconding from traditional hives and associated risk factors in Bure Zuria Woreda, north western Ethiopia. A total of 50 beekeepers were selected randomly for a longitudinal apiary inspection survey to determine honey bee colonies owned by the beekeepers and pattern of honey bee colony absconding. However, a questionnaire was prepared and administered to all the beekeepers to assess the risk factors. Pearson chi-square (χ2) was used to test association of risk factors for beekeeping at p-value &lt; 0.05. Results showed that the overall number of honeybee colony positive hives owned by the beekeepers in the Kebele was 52 (81.3%) whereas the overall colony negative hives was 12 (18.7%). The number of bee colony absconding hives rose in February (17.2%) and peaked in April (23.4%) with sharp decline thereafter. Whereas the number of colony owning hives rose in October and peaked in December (96.81%) than the rest of the inspection months. Pesticide and herbicide application, inadequate skill of beekeepers and deforestation were reported as the top risk factors associated with bee colony absconding in the study area. Therefore intervention to change traditional beekeeping practices through training and introducing improved beekeeping technologies that are suitable for local beekeepers are needed for mitigation of colony absconding and enhancing apiculture productivity and production in the study area. Keywords: Beekeeper, Colony absconding, traditional hives, Wehni Durbete Kebele. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-22-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2020