Performance Evaluation of Local Honey Bee Races (Apis mellifera bandansi) at Wondo Genet, Sidama Regional State of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The research was undertaken in Wondo genet agricultural a study conducted at a research facility between 2015 and 2017 focused on assessing the performance of Apis mellifera bandansi honey bee races. The objective was to identify and choose the most effective honey bee races based on various parameters such as defensive behavior, hygienic practices, absconding tendencies, foraging abilities, swarming patterns, and productivity in terms of hive product area. A total of thirty bee races were evaluated during the study period (30) colonies of Apis mellifera bandansii honeybee were established on station. Basic management practices were made reasonably uniform for tested colonies. The investigation indicated the races exhibited aggressive behavior, resulting in stings on the examiner, with a maximum count of up to 158±15.3 and a minimum of 60 stings on the manipulator. The distance covered by the races extended long, reaching up to 255±74.1 meters away from the entrance. The absconding percentage from a total of thirty colonies ranged from a maximum of 50% in 2015 to a minimum of 26% in 2017. The early and late foraging behavior of the colony was also documented early morning 5:30 am time foraging, whereas late foraging time was at 7:15pm pm e back to their nest in the evening. The remaining hive products were quantified in a 5x5 cm2 comb area cell over the course of the production season, with measurements taken at 21-day intervals to assess the brood area. The values obtained, expressed as the mean ± standard deviation, indicated the range from maximum to minimum for the adult, brood, pollen, nectar, and honey area in cm². 79.5±13.4 107.1±24.6, 74.41±31.3, 48.2±9.0 for year (2015), 74.5±6.5, 107.1±24.6, 48.5±16.9, 81.8±31.6 for (year, 2016) and 114.8±20.5, 96.2±17.4, 50.0±19.4 and 90.7±40.2 for (year, 2017 respectively. The Apis mellifera, typically referred to in a general sense bandansi the race demonstrates positive attributes in terms of hygienic behavior and is also efficient in maximizing honey production when subjected to appropriate management strategies. It is recommended to conduct additional research on the specification of geographical location in relation to the distribution of different races and their identification for the purpose of breed determination and enhancement. This will aid in the selection of colonies that are more suitable in terms of production efficiency, temperament, resistance to pests, parasites, and diseases, as well as foraging and absconding tendencies.