Honey bee colony losses and causes during the active beekeeping season 2022/2023 in nine Sub-Saharan African countries

This study reports for the first-time a multi-country survey of managed honey bee colony loss rates and associated risk factors during the active beekeeping season 2022/2023 in nine Sub-Saharan African countries, namely Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Benin, Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon and Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also evaluates the sustainability of bee swarm catches as a primary source for expanding apiary size by African beekeepers. In this survey, the 1,786 interviewed beekeepers across these countries collectively managing 41,761 colonies registered an overall loss rate of 21.3%, which varied significantly among countries (from 9.7 to 45.3%) and hive types (from 10.6% in hives with movable frames to 17.9% in frameless hives). The perceived causes of losses in order of significance were issues beyond the beekeeper's control (mostly theft, drought, and bushfire), absconding and pests (mostly wax moth, small and large hive beetles, ants and Varroa destructor mite), but this pattern varied greatly across countries. Among the management practices and characteristics, migratory beekeepers and professional beekeepers experienced lower losses than beekeepers practicing stationary beekeeping and semi-professionals and hobby beekeepers, respectively. Insights into the number of bee swarms caught revealed a significant decrease in swarm availability over the past three years in Kenya, while some regions in Ethiopia showed the opposite trend, requiring further investigation. Overall, this comprehensive survey highlights the complexities and challenges faced by beekeepers in Sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and sustained research to support the resilience and growth of the apicultural sector.

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Publication Details

Journal
PLoS ONE
Published
2025-05-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322489
Citations
11
Primary Topic
Insect and Pesticide Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
18.39

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article

Honey bee colony losses and causes during the active beekeeping season 2022/2023 in nine Sub-Saharan African countries

Abebe Jenberie Wubie, Simon P. Turner, Mbatha B. Wambua, Ntirenganya Elie et al.
11 citations
PLoS ONE
Insect and Pesticide Research
18.39
article

Honey bee colony losses and causes during the active beekeeping season 2022/2023 in nine Sub-Saharan African countries

Abebe Jenberie Wubie, Simon P. Turner, Mbatha B. Wambua, Ntirenganya Elie, Emily Kimathi, Victoria Soroker, Christian W. W. Pirk, Rachidatou Sikirou, Z. Ngalo Otieno-Ayayo, Sevgan Subramanian, Bridget O. Bobadoye, Robert Brodschneider, Nelly Ndungu, Geraud C. Tasse Taboue, Saliou Niassy, Mawufe Komi Agbodzavu, Alison Gray, Lulseged Belayhun, Sidonie T. Fameni, Sayemie Gaboe, Yudah O. Oyieyo, Patrick Mafwila, Simplice N. Fonkou, Willy Mwiza, Tonnang Z.E. Henri, Daniel Toroitich, Beatrice T. Nganso, Workneh Ayalew, Freweini Assefa, Souradji Idrissou Bachirou
article en
11 citations

Abstract

This study reports for the first-time a multi-country survey of managed honey bee colony loss rates and associated risk factors during the active beekeeping season 2022/2023 in nine Sub-Saharan African countries, namely Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Benin, Liberia, Nigeria, Cameroon and Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also evaluates the sustainability of bee swarm catches as a primary source for expanding apiary size by African beekeepers. In this survey, the 1,786 interviewed beekeepers across these countries collectively managing 41,761 colonies registered an overall loss rate of 21.3%, which varied significantly among countries (from 9.7 to 45.3%) and hive types (from 10.6% in hives with movable frames to 17.9% in frameless hives). The perceived causes of losses in order of significance were issues beyond the beekeeper's control (mostly theft, drought, and bushfire), absconding and pests (mostly wax moth, small and large hive beetles, ants and Varroa destructor mite), but this pattern varied greatly across countries. Among the management practices and characteristics, migratory beekeepers and professional beekeepers experienced lower losses than beekeepers practicing stationary beekeeping and semi-professionals and hobby beekeepers, respectively. Insights into the number of bee swarms caught revealed a significant decrease in swarm availability over the past three years in Kenya, while some regions in Ethiopia showed the opposite trend, requiring further investigation. Overall, this comprehensive survey highlights the complexities and challenges faced by beekeepers in Sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the need for targeted interventions and sustained research to support the resilience and growth of the apicultural sector.

PLoS ONEVol. 20(5)
University of Graz (AT), International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (KE), University of Strathclyde (GB), National Agricultural Research Institute (PG), University of Maroua (CM), Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (NG), University of Kinshasa (CD), Agricultural Research Organization (IL), Institut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin (BJ), Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KE), Rongo University (KE), Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries (CM), Rwanda Agriculture Board (RW), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (NG), Institut de Recherche Agricole pour le Développement (CM), Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ID), University of Pretoria (ZA), University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZA)
Styrelsen för Internationellt Utvecklingssamarbete, JRS Biodiversity Foundation, Government of the Republic of Kenya, European Commission, Mastercard Foundation, Direktion für Entwicklung und Zusammenarbeit, Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Responsible consumption and production
Openalex Percentile: Top 0%
Insect and Pesticide Research
18.39
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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