Prevalence of parasitic honeybee diseases, pests and predators in North Gondar zone.

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted on parasitic honeybee diseases, pests and predators Lay armachiho and Tach armachiho districts of North Gondar zone from October 2017 to May 2018. The objectives of this study were to assess the different parasitic honeybee diseases, pests and predators. The study mainly involves with the collection of adult honeybee abdominal suspension of wet mount for nosema and amoeba diseases and direct observation of varroa mite and bee louse from adult honey bee and brood cells. Questioner survey was used to know different honeybee pests, predators and agrochemicals in the study area. The SPSS version 20 was used for chi-square test and p-value < 0.05 was taken as statistical significant. During the study period a total of 384 honey bee sample in traditional, modern and transitional hives were examined. The overall prevalence 24.47% (94/384) of hives were found positive for Nosema apis, 17.2% (66/384) foramoeba (malphighamoeba mellificae), 30.5% (117/384) for varroa destructor and 37.5% (144/384) for bee louse (braula cocae). Bee louse was the predominant external parasitic disease in adult honeybees followed by varroa destructor. There was statistically significant variation between Nosema Apis and bee louse observed among the two selected districts and hive types (x 2 =23.5, p-value=0.0001) for bee louse and (x 2 =5.3, p-value=0.071) for Nosema Apis. About the 100 respondents are 46%, 42%, 39%, 35%, 28%, small hive beetle 26% and spider 24% were complaining on the impact of wax moth, chemical spray, skunk, birds, small hive beetle and spiders respectively. They have also responded that pests play a major role on the production loss, damaging of honey bee colony and absconding of the colony. In conclusion, the highest prevalence parasitic honeybee diseases and pests were recorded in the study areas that signify the occurrence of the parasitic burden has to be carried out and immediate intervention was implemented.

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

“…This might be due to the effect of temperature and humidity that affect the spread of N. apis . The current finding is in agreement with the finding of Nega et al [ 43 ] who stated that an increase in humidity and rainfall limit honeybees to fly out for cleansing, which in turn enhances the spread of the disease among the members and autoinfection.…”

“…e current finding is in agreement with the finding of Nega et al [43] who stated that an increase in humidity and rainfall limit honeybees to fly out for cleansing, which in turn enhances the spread of the disease among the members and autoinfection. e overall prevalence of N. apis has a significant variation between hives (p < 0.02), and it was higher in traditional than both modern and transitional hive types.…”

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

“…Results indicated that the prevalence of bee lice was higher in modern beehives (31.3%) than tradition beehives (22.2%), as well as in midland than highland (Table 8), but the p-value of a chi square showed no significant association for both factors. The higher prevalence of the bee at lower altitudes is in agreement with the report in the Northern Gondar of the Amhara Region [11]. The overall prevalence of small hive beetles was 11.7% in the study area (Table 9).…”

“…However, the association between amoeba prevalence and agro-ecology as well as hive type was not significant (p > 0.05). Although similar results have been reported that amoeba is more common in highland areas than lowland and midland agro-ecologies [13] as well as in traditional hives than modern hives [11], these works did not state whether there was an association between agro-ecologies as well as hive types or not. Moreover, amoeba was more prev-alent in traditional hives than modern hives, which is similar with the previous in North Gondar.…”

Epidemiology, factors influencing prevalence and level of varroosis infestation (Varroa destructor) in honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies in different agroecologies of Southwest Ethiopia

“…Several studies conducted in Ethiopia have examined the prevalence of Varroa infestation in honeybee colonies and reported a high prevalence ranging from 30.5% to 91.8%. Furthermore, the infestation has been reported to have significant detrimental effects on both honeybee colonies and honey production, posing a considerable challenge for the country's beekeeping industry ( Begna, 2015 ; Godifey, 2015 ; Mezgabu et al, 2016 ; Nega et al, 2019 ; Shegaw et al, 2022 ; Gela et al, 2023 ). Furthermore, studies have shown that Ethiopian honey bee antennae exhibit an increased level of gene expression of the odorant binding protein OBP14, suggesting a potential improvement in detection and elimination of reproducing mites ( Gebremedhn et al, 2023 ).…”