مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Beekeeping Activities and Honey Bee Colony Loses in Adana and Konya Provinces

Abstract :

In this study, beekeepers pesticide application experiences, honey bee genotypes, hive losses, honey bees pests and diseases in hives are researched. Additionally, pesticides used for Varroa mite control, Varroa jacobsoni Oud. (Acari: Varroidae), commercial crops around the hives and pesticides used in this crop are explored in Adana and Konya provinces. Reasons of honey bee decrease is discussed.The research is conducted with 200 beekeepers, for which 100 of them is from Adana and others are from Konya province. According to the research conducted with over 10 years experienced beekeepers, 96% of beekeepers in Adana and 89% of beekeepers in Konya are half migratory beekeepers and both of the beekeepers carry their hives into Mediterranean region during winter. Beekeepers in Adana prefer Anatolian honey bee ecotype and Beekeepers in Konya prefer Caucasian honey bee ecotype. Both provinces have Varroa mites as pests of honey bee and beekeepers in both province use amitraz as pesticide to control them. Main crop is citrus where the beekeepers migrated to overwinter. Beekeepers say that pesticides used against mites, corn borer and weed are primary reasons of honey bee mortalities in winter locations. Generally, beekeepers in Adana province believe that the pesticides decrease the number of honey bee colonies, and beekeepers in Konya province believe that seasonal changes and colony hunger decrease the number of honey bee colonies.