Beekeeping in Algeria: The factors threatening the survival of the honeybee Apis mellifera intermissa

Abstract

Honeybees, in addition to their production of honey, pollinate the flowers of fruit trees and other crops. Any threat to them, whether from pesticides, herbicides or diseases, therefore pose serious consequences not only for beekeeping, but also for agriculture in general. For several years, many beekeepers in Algeria have reported deaths in their apiaries. At present, we lack hard data on the causes of such mortality. In order to provide some answers to this problem, we conducted a field study with beekeepers in mid-northern Algeria. This study is complemented by information from the beekeeping cooperative, the technical institute of livestock and veterinary services department at the Ministry of Agriculture, and the regional laboratories of veterinary medicine. Analysis of the results shows bee diseases mainly represented by the Varroa and bee poisoning by insecticides, as well as ecosystem degradation (loss of honey flora) and climate change. All these factors threaten the local bee and have a negative influence on the production of honey.