Enemies
of Honey Bees and Their Control
Honeybee colonies face
attacks from various enemies that can severely affect their population and
productivity. For effective beekeeping, it's essential to protect colonies from
these enemies and implement control measures.
1. Predatory Wasps
Species:
Vespa
velutina, Vespa magnifica, Vespa tropica, Vespa basalis.
Damage:
Wasps attack honeybees at hive entrances,
killing large numbers, especially Vespa
magnifica. Weak colonies may collapse due to their attacks.
Prevention and Control:
Ø Kill
females visiting the apiary in spring.
Ø Burn
nests at night or use insecticidal sprays.
Ø Flap
wasps in the apiary.
2. Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella)
Damage:
Wax moth larvae tunnel
through comb mid-ribs, leaving behind wax particles. Severe infestations stop
brood rearing and can cause colony absconding.
Prevention and Control:
Ø Seal
hive cracks and reduce hive entrance.
Ø Clean
bottom boards and remove unused combs.
Ø In
storage, fumigate spare combs with sulfur and use moth-proof stacks.
3. Ectoparasitic Mites
Varroa destructor:
Infests honeybee brood
and adults, feeding on hemolymph. Causes colony weakness, dead brood, and
malformed bees. Originally a parasite of Apis
cerana, it now severely affects Apis
mellifera colonies.
Control: Formic acid fumigation and powdered
sugar treatment.
Tropilaelaps clareae:
Feeds on bee brood,
leading to dead or malformed bees. Colonies may abscond if untreated.
Control: Sulfur dusting on top bars.
4. Other Enemies
Bee Louse (Braula coeca):
A wingless fly that
feeds on bees’ salivary secretions. Not a serious pest.
Birds and Mammals:
Bee-eaters (Merops orientalis) and crows (Dicrurus sp.) attack bees in flight.
Control: Scare birds
away and protect hives from ants by placing hive stands in water-filled
containers.
Bears and pine martens may raid hives for
honey.
Efficient management
and timely control measures help protect bee colonies from these enemies,
ensuring the colony’s survival and productivity.
