An estimate of honeybee colony losses and their perceived reasons during two years case study in Qena and Luxor governorates, upper Egypt [electronic resource]

Includes reference.

Honeybees, Apis mellifera L. are the most economically valuable pollinators of agricul- tural crops worldwide. This study was to estimate extent and possi- ble causes of honeybee colony losses in Upper Egypt (Qena & Luxor Governorates) during the fall and winter of 2009/2010 and 2010/ 2011. The survey of colony losses and potential causes was via questionnaire method. Data of 318 questionnaires completed by beekeepers were analyzed. The collected data indicate that, the number of managed honey- bee colonies dropped an esti- mated 15.15% in the 2009/2010 fall and winter and 30.73% in the 2010/2011 fall and winter with average losses 23.28% during the two years. Survey information indicates that, colony losses range widely depending on op- eration size.

Summary in Arabic.

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