No abstract

The study was conducted in selected districts of kafa, sheka and Benchi maji zones of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region of Ethiopia with an intention to identify the agroecological distribution level of cr. chiarinii ant. The study was under taken through collection of survey data from respondent beekeepers and conducting transect views. According to the survey result, of the total transect views covering 167 kms distances with 50 meters horizontal width and observation covered altitudes ranging from 800 to 2400 m.as.l. Nearly equivalent transect distances were considered for each agro ecologies (High land, mid land and low lands containing 60, 50 and 57 kilometers respectively). A total of 497 nests were counted during the transect. Of which 387 (77%) were counted in mid lands (1500-1900 m.a.s.l.); 60 (12%) of the nests counted in low lands (<1500 m.a.s.l.) and 50 (10%) of them were counted in high lands (>1900 to 2400 m.a.s.l.). The Proportions of respondents using Cr. chiarinii as biological protection means against D. quadratus varied from 19.17% in Benchi Maji zone to 43.33% in Sheka zone whith an overall mean of 27.78%. There is no significant varriation between male and females (at p<0.05) in using Cr. chiarinii as a potential biological pest prevention mechanism (28.4% versus 20.69%). In the curent study, the distribution of the ant was higher in mid lands (1500-1900m.a.s.l) and declining as we go up over 1900 m.a.s.l and lower than 1500 m.a.s.l. Particularly, in areas of extreme low altitudes the ant was noted to be very selective to areas with better moisture contents and is highly selective to areas with old trees and better vegetation cover is found. However, it is not selective to plant types and its distribution gets declining in areas with less forest coverage and intenssive cultivation is under taken.

The study was conducted in selected districts of Kafa Zone of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR), Ethiopia with an intention to identify the physico chemical quality status of beeswax produced in the areas. Three districts; Chena, Gimbo and Gesha and three peasant associations (PAs) from each district were purposively selected based on their potentialities for production and marketing of honey and beeswax. Before collecting sample beeswaxes, a preliminary survey was conducted to identify the major actors taking part in production, processing and marketing of beeswax. Accordingly, beeswax samples were collected from fresh combs, old combs, local mead houses and cooperatives for detail quality analysis. The Mean+SE value for melting point, refractive index, ash content, total volatile matter, acid value, Saponification value, ester value, and ester to acid ratio of beeswax of the area is found to be 62.35+0.15, 1.4416+0.0001, 0.0857+0.0144, 0.4156+0.0385,22.689+0.3793,94.7540+0.8617,72.065+0.4766,3.201+0.0625 respectively. All the samples passed for paraffin and other waxes, and fats and fatty acid tests. The result shows no significant variation among studied districts in all parameters. However, significantly higher value of refractive index, total volatile matters and ash contents were recorded in samples from local mead houses at p<0.05. This might be due to poor handling practices and an intentional addition of foreign materials such as salt for preserving beeswax from wax moths' attacks and 'kocho' for increasing its volume which are commonly practiced by some individuals of 'tej' houses. The overall results revealed that all the beeswax samples collected from various sources are found within the acceptable ranges of national and international standards.

The study was aimed with identifying and characterizing honeybee floras and their flowering seasons in south western parts of the country. Relevant data were collected through conducting questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, field observations and lab analysis of pollen and honey samples. In addition, seasonal performance of colonies in terms of brood area, adult population, pollen and nectar stores were evaluated. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS-ver.20 and MsExcels. Accordingly, a total of 200floral species categorized under 77families identified. Of which, 26(13%) grouped under 16 families characterized as major bee floras. Seasons, January to February, July to August were considered as Dearth periods; March, September to October were brooding seasons, April, November to December were major nectar flow seasons. March to April and November to December were major honey flow seasons being the first for high land and mid land areas and the later for lowland areas whose major botanical origin was Schefflera abyssinica and Guizetia scabra respectively. However, in some areas with better forest covers, Manilkara butij become a major honey source plant. Whereas, January, June to July, March (in low lands) were considered as minor/mini harvesting seasons whose major botanical origin was Vernonia species, Croton macrostachyus and Combritum species respectively. It was noted that there was a significant correlation among brood area, adult population, pollen store and nectar stores at p<0.01.