Evaluation of different non-chemical wax moth prevention methods in the backyards of rural beekeepers in the North West dry land areas of Ethiopia

Abstract

Wax moths are ubiquitous pests of honey bee colonies that destroy beeswax combs. To study the efficiency of different preventing techniques in local conditions, five treatments were assigned to purposively selected wax moth susceptible colonies. The results have revealed that 66.7% of the colonies have absconded from control treatments due to wax moth infestation. Colonies assigned to supplementary feeding (with 16391.3 bee population) were significantly better than other treatments in preventing serious wax moth attacks while the control group possessed the lowest value (12588.23). This further elucidated that strong colonies had better strength to defend pest attacks. Even if the overall average number of wax moth infected combs was 1.16 combs per colony, tobacco leaf smoke had the lowest (0.39) infected combs. Furthermore, the control group was the highest in the number of counted wax moth larvae (471) where tobacco leaf smoking was with the lowest value (43). In conclusion, supplementary feeding and appropriate use of tobacco leaf smoke shall be used as a combined recommendation in reducing the damage. Moreover, training of beneficiaries in appropriate use of tested methods and seasonal colony management techniques should be included in the package. Based on the current trends in wax moth damage in the country, studies on all possible safe preventive strategies will be a focus of future national research directions. Thus, this contribution, we believe, will be used as a building block. Of course, attempts in developing a natural enemy against wax moth adults shall keep the balance in the environment as the insect is also beneficial in the ecology.

Efficiency of some common treatments on infestation level with wax moths, colony strength and honey yield in Northeast Ethiopia: Participatory and comparative analysis

“…Agro-ecologically, most parts of the woreda is classified as mid altitude and categorized by rugged topography of mountains, hills and gorges (Mihiretu et al, 2019c). The vegetation cover mainly consists of scattered bushes, shrubs and acacia species, which in turn provides good opportunity for beekeeping (Alemu et al, 2014).…”

“…Colony strength indicators (viz., the number of combs and frames covered by bees) were normalized to make the trial colonies comparable. In fact, normalization reduces the effects of human triggered errors in the experiment (Alemu et al, 2014). Among FREG members, six arbitrary beekeepers having beehives that fulfill the required criteria were selected to host the trial.…”

“…It is one of the important agricultural activities that provides many job opportunities besides the valuable honey products (Kwadha et al, 2017). Ethiopia is the leading among honey and beeswax producers worldwide for centuries (Alemu et al, 2014). The country produces about 98% of honey and beeswax yield from traditional hives due to its tremendous agro climatic conditions and biodiversity, which favored the existence of diversified honeybee flora and huge number of bee colonies (Fenet & Alemayehu, 2016).…”

“…The complete destruction risk of stored beeswax combs in particular and apiary farming in general led researchers in Sekota Dryland Agricultural Research Center to evaluate potential wax moth control methods in Northeast Ethiopia. Accordingly, supplementary feeding, colony fumigation with tobacco leaf smoke and the combination of both were suggested to ensure colony population, in turn to cope up with wax moths as well as to reduce the infestation levels (Alemu et al, 2014). However, the recommendations were provided simply on the bases of biological stances, without giving due attention to beekeepers' participation, economic profitability, societal acceptability and technical applicability.…”

Investigation of Different Botanical Origin of Honey Types with Respect to Food Safety

“…Also, The Galleria mellonella is huge problem for beekeeper who lives in long-term warm places. Beekeepers have been attempting to control wax moth populations in many ways and beekeepers often use a similar fumigation method to protect stored combs against wax moths (Tsegaye, Wubie, Eshetu, & Lemma, 2014).…”