Estimating the losses of honey bee colonies and their potential causes within the beekeepers at Assiut governorate [Upper Egypt], during three years survey by using questionnaire method

ABSTRACT

This study records the data of three years, 2009/2010, 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 survey of losses in managed honey bee colonies in Assiut governorate. The survey of colony losses and potential causes was obtained via questionnaire method. The surveyed beekeepers had loss a total of 4639 colonies between September and March. Colony loss percentages were 15.78 in 2009/2010; 28.11 in 2010/2011 and in 2011/2012 15.6. Survey information indicated that colony losses range widely depending on the operation size of the beekeepers. Commercial beekeepers [those operating more than >200 colonies] lost the lower number of colonies as compared to hobbyist, intermediate and semi-commercial beekeepers. Oriental hornets, poor quality queens, pesticides and CCD-like symptoms were the leading self-identified reasons of losses as reported by most beekeepers. Finally, it must circulate such as this questionnaire over all Egypt to understand the extent of the problem and try to find out the resolve