RESULTS OF MONITORING OF HONEY BEE COLONY LOSSES IN UKRAINE AFTER THE WINTER OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE WAR (2021-2022)

Authors

  • M.M. FEDORIAK Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • O.O. SHKROBANETS Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • L.I. TYMOCHKO Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • A.V. ZHUK Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • T.V. FYLYPCHUK Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • U.V. LEHETA Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • O.F. DELI Odesa National University named after I. I. Mechnikov Author
  • P.V. HERASYMUK Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • O.D. ZAROCHENTSEVA Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • H.G. MOSKALYK Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author
  • V.V. DZHOS Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31861/biosystems2024.03.300

Keywords:

Apis mellifera L., honey bee, colony losses, monitoring, beekeeping, varroosis

Abstract

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the increase of honey bee colony losses (Apis mellifera L.), especially in Europe, Asia and North America, has prompted the search for standardized large-scale studies to avoid catastrophic consequences for both ecosystems and the world economy. This paper presents the results of research on honey bee colony losses in Ukraine after the winter 2021–2022, which is carried out as part of international COLOSS monitoring. A decrease of honey bee colony losses after winter of 2021–2022 in Ukraine was found being equal 8,9 %, which is 1,7 times lower than last year (15,18 %) and practically corresponds to the rate from last year (9,29 %). Most of the lost during the winter colonies died (or disappeared) – 3,72 %; 3,07 % were lost due to the unsolvable queen problems, and 2,08 % of colonies were lost due to natural digesters. The level of total losses of colonies in apiaries of the zone of mixed forests (13,76 %) significantly exceeded the corresponding indicator in comparison with the zone of broad-leaved forests (8,13 %) and the zone of the Ukrainian Carpathians (7,55 %). Among the characteristic signs of dead/disappeared colonies, dead bees in the hive or in front of it (32,7 %) and death of bees due to unknown to the beekeeper «symptoms» (24,13 %) were most often reported. Disappearance of bees (11,48 %) and dead bees in the hive in the presence of food (14,94 %) were reported least often. 28,7 % of respondents carried out the transportation of colonies for honey collection or pollination in 2021. No significant difference was found between losses in migrating and stationary apiaries. Monitoring of bees for the presence of the Varroa mite for the period from April 2021 to March 2022 was carried out by 79,9 % of respondents; 96,2 % of beekeepers treated bees against Varroa.

 

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Published

2025-01-22 — Updated on 2025-01-18

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 3 (2024)

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ЕКОЛОГІЯ