Characterization of Honeybees (Apismellifera L.) Behavior and Swarming Tendency in Bale, South-eastern Ethiopia

The study was conducted to characterize honeybee’s behavior and swarming tendency in Bale Zone of Oromia Regional state, South-eastern part of Ethiopia in 2014/15. Three districts (Dinsho, Adaba and DelloMenna) were considered based on variations in agro-ecology. From each districts two Rural Kebele (RKs), from each RK 30 beekeepers and a total of 180 beekeepers were selected using purposive sampling method. The selected beekeepers were interviewed using pre-tested structure questioners and single- visit – multiple formal survey method used to collect the data. The result showed that the sample respondents categorized honeybees as black (41%), red (15%), grey (10%) and (33.9) mixture of black and red. Depending on the stinging behavior beekeepers were rated their bee colonies very aggressive (27.2%), aggressive (51.1%) and docile (21.7%). They also characterized those bees with grey in color as very aggressive in stinging behavior and called “Fakiin local language or Afan Oromo”. About 82.8% of the sample respondents were reported as absconding occur in their honeybee colonies. Out of the total sample responds about 99% had reported occurrence of swarming in their apiaries. The present study showed that honeybees in southern part of Ethiopia had aggressive behavior and high swarming tendency. However, it requires controlled studies in-colony and out-colony factors that determining the behaviors and swarming tendency of honeybee’s colonies to fully understand it