Prevalence of honey bee pests and predators in apiaries in Arwoteck Subcounty in Amolatar district

Abstract

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are among the most important pollinators of flowering plants, playing a key role in provision of both direct and indirect value to the agricultural economy and, consequently, the global economy. However, they are exposed to a wide range of threats such as pathogens and parasites, habitat fragmentation, pesticides, and environmental stressors, which have led to the loss of a significant number of colonies. A decline in their colony numbers is worrisome as it can cause extensive economic consequences. Due to this, there has been a substantial increase in research exploring the factors that pose threats to honey bee health. However, this research has not been conducted in all bee keeping zones, especially in developing countries. The present study found it thoughtful to investigate the prevalence of pests and predators of honey bees in apiaries in Arwotcek sub-county, Amolatar district found in the northern part of Uganda. The study used a descriptive cross-sectional design where purposive sampling was done among 40 beekeepers from four parishes (Ogenga, Aburkidi, Awac, and Anyamawele) in Arwotcek sub-county. The diversity of the bee pests and predators was computed using Shannon-weiner index while data on their abundance was analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test at α=0.05. The 40 bee keepers sampled had both colonized and uncolonized bee hives, but with more uncolonized hives in their apiaries. Four different kinds of bee pests and predators were recorded. These were ants, small hive beetles, varroa mites, and wax moths. The highest diversity of bee pests and predators was recorded in Awac parish (0.10877), followed by Ogenga (0.009178). Significant differences in the abundance of bee pests and predators (Kruskal-Wallis statistic=11.401, p=0.022, df=4, Kruskal-Wallis test) at α=0.05 were registered. Small hive beetles were the most dominant in all the four parishes of Arwotcek sub-county followed by wax moths. In all the four parishes, the parishes where large numbers of bee pests and predators were registered are Ogenga and Aburkidi. These findings are pivotal as they portray a clear picture of the threats to beekeeping in Arwotcek sub-county. This is the first study at the sub-county level to determine the diversity and abundance of bee pests and predators in four beekeeping villages of Arwotcek sub-county. It is thus paramount that adequate knowledge on the presence of these pests and predators is generated, not only in Arwotcek sub-county but also in other beekeeping communities in Amolatar district. However, since the current study did not consider the measures being taken by bee keepers in Arwotcek sub-county, there is a need for a study focusing on the bee pest and predator prevention measures.