Naslov
Possible reasons for colony losses in Croatia

Autori
Tomljanović, Zlatko ; Tlak Gajger, Ivana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Proceedings of the 5th COLOSS Conference / Neumann, P. - Montpellier : SupAgro, 2009, 25-25

Skup
5th COLOSS Conference - Prevention of honeybee Colony Losses

Mjesto i datum
Montpellier, Francuska, 14.09.2009. - 15.09.2009

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
beekeeping operations; disease treatment; bee pests and pathogens; pesticides

Sažetak
There are approximately 300.000 honey bee colonies and 12.000 beekeepers in Croatia, but just 4132 beekeepers are members of Croatian beekeepers federation (CBF). They produce around 6500 – 7000 tons of honey annually. Croatian beekeepers federation estimate (based on questionnaire) that honey bee colony losses for 2005/2006 and 2007/2008 were 16% and 27% respectively. In 2008 347 beekeepers (with and without losses) were interviewed about their losses. We have collected data concerning: 1) migratory/stationary beekeeping operations, 2) bee yard site, 3) size of beekeeping operations /number of colonies/, 4) treatment against Varroa mite – when? medication?, 5) type of microclimate and landscape, 6) honey flow conditions /late summer/, 7) beekeeping practice, and 8) first clinical signs of disappearing of bees. We suppose that higher losses for fall/winter 2007/2008 are mainly due to: 1) bee pests and pathogens, 2) pesticides, 3) weather, and 4) bad beekeeping practice. During the June 2008 CBF sent to each beekeeper a guide for Varroa control. We agree that there is a lack of well-trained and experienced beekeepers for helping in commercial queen breeding and in all beekeeping industry in southern Europe. Queen breeders and beekeepers from other parts of Europe, USA and Australia claim the same thing. Five years ago CBF have started program “ School for beekeepers” certified by Ministry of science and technology of Republic of Croatia. The purpose of program is permanent education of beekeepers that are beginners and also well experienced beekeepers. Program includes 120 hours of theoretical and practical lectures. Beekeepers study about bee biology, queen rearing, bee health, beekeeping economy, beekeeping technology and equipment, pollination and bee flora and apitherapy. There are more than 2500 certified beekeepers so far. Likewise, CBF organizes a fall-winter scheme of lectures for their members with domestic and foreign speakers. In the survey about colony losses in Croatia 2008/2009 ; 10, 40% of CBF members were included. The data was collected directly from the beekeepers during the annual beekeeping meeting at the end of March 2009. In total, 430 beekeepers responded to an anonymous questionnaire and a survey was run on 35 108 bee colonies that exhibited 13.16% of winter losses. CBF will continue with data collection and support further research concerning Varroa fitness.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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