Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
2
Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3
Department of Honey Bee, Silk Worm & Wildlife, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, AREEO, Karaj, Iran
10.22059/ijvm.2025.403897.1005934
Abstract
Background: Apis mellifera is essential for ecosystem preservation and offers critical pollination functions that enhance food security. There have been several colony losses in apiaries recently, due to various of factors. This problem is considered multifactorial and complex, and cannot be attributed to one single factor as the primary cause.
Objectives: Investigation of the determinants of honey bee colony loss.
Methods: An apiary-level case-control study was carried out in 150 (75 cases & 75 controls) apiaries. Data were gathered by a structured questionnaire from apiaries in the Alborz Mountainous and the Hyrcanian Forest region in provinces such as Tehran, Alborz, Mazandaran, Gilan, Golestan, Qazvin, Qom, Markazi, and Semnan managed by Microsoft Excel 2019 and analyzed by STATA 17. A univariable logistic regression was conducted, and then all variables with P<0.2 were used for multivariate logistic regression. All risk factors were reported by their odds ratio (OR) and P<0.05.
Result: The final multivariate logistic regression indicates academic learning methods (OR=0.16, P<0.05), 6–15 years of experience (OR=0.02, P=0.006), and Varroa mite control methods (OR=0.21, P=0.017) decrease the colony loss and are protective factors, while queen problems in apiaries (OR=3.26, P=0.011) increase the risk of honey bee colony loss and act as a risk factor.
Conclusions: This study suggests that honey bee colony loss is reduced by academic learning, 6–15 years of experience, and effective Varroa mite control, but is significantly increased by queen problems.
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