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

Abstract

Background and Methods. Since regular and timely control of all factors that endanger honeybee life and threaten their products is needed for effective apiculture, cross-sectional research was performed in the three districts (Bonga, Chena, and Gimbo) of the Kaffa Zone to assess the prevalence of major honeybee diseases. A total of 384 honeybee samples from 15 operating apiaries were chosen from each kebele based on their ability to provide a bee sample and the apiary farm’s accessibility. From each district, 128 bee colonies were selected from different apiaries; of these, there were 209 transitional, 74 traditional, and 101 modern hives. 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.