EPILOBEE Report: Investigating Honeybee Colony Losses in the EU Region

This report summarizes the findings of the EPILOBEE study, which investigated honeybee colony mortality across Europe. The research analyzed data from 4758 apiaries, examining beekeeping practices, honeybee breeds, and disease prevalence. The study reveals that beekeepers aged 45-65 are most active, with 64.7% practicing apiculture as a hobby. A.m Carnica is the most common honeybee breed, while Varroosis is the most reported disease. The report highlights regional differences in colony losses and suggests measures to mitigate disease impacts and improve apiculture profitability within the EU. The analysis used visualization and statistical tools like Ms Excel to present the data, providing valuable insights into the challenges faced by beekeepers and the factors contributing to honeybee colony mortality.

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EPILOBEE Report
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Executive Summary
It is evident that beekeepers not in European Union but also across the world are facing
challenges in beekeeping. Therefore, study shows the regional (country) difference in colony
loses; besides, the research explored on various disease that tend to have an impact on colony
losses. The data used in the study was retrieved from an online database developed by the EURL,
it comprises of 4758 observation from apiaries across Europe. The primal tool incorporated in
the study was the visualization, which aid exhibiting the graphical presentation of the data.,
whereby Ms Excel statistical tool pack was used to perform data analysis. It is evident that age
group 45 – 65 tends to engage in the practice compare to others; besides, 64.7% practice
apiculture as a hobby. Moreover, it is shown that A.m Carnica is the commonly bred honeybee in
EU whereas A. Iberiensis is the rare breed. It is exhibited, Varroosis is the most common disease
with 37% of the respondent reporting about the disease. Therefore, the EURL should adopt
measures that will aid in curbing the disease, which will result in increased profits from
apiculture within the region.
Table of Contents

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Executive Summary.............................................................................................................1
Introduction..........................................................................................................................1
Identification of the Problem...............................................................................................3
Literature Review................................................................................................................4
Data Collection....................................................................................................................5
Methodology........................................................................................................................6
Data Analysis.......................................................................................................................6
Descriptive Statistics.......................................................................................................6
Honey Bee Breeds...........................................................................................................7
Disease Distribution.........................................................................................................8
Disease Prevalence..........................................................................................................9
American Foul Brood..................................................................................................9
Varroosis......................................................................................................................9
Nosemosis..................................................................................................................10
Association Between Countries and Mortality..............................................................10
Conclusion and Recommendation.....................................................................................11
References..........................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
There are no doubts apicultures tends to face various challenges, which include diseases
and climatic changes. Nations have established organizations or entities that are tasked in
providing solution to the problem. Consequently, the European Commission seek guidance from
the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) about the health and production of honeybee.
As a result, both the Commission and the EURL established the epidemiological surveillance
program on honeybee colony mortality (EPILOBEE) in Europe (European Commission, 2013).
The surveillance incorporated the 17 member states of the European Union, which include
Latvia, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Slovakia, France, Portugal,
Finland, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Germany, Belgium, and Denmark. Notably, EPILOBEE was
the first harmonized active epidemiological surveillance program on honey bee colony mortality
utilizing the random selection of apiaries and colonies to be adopted and implemented
(CHAUZAT, et al., 2014).
The program was set for two years, which include 2012 – 2013 (first years) and 2013 –
2014 (second year). As evident, 17 member countries participated during the first year whereas
16 member countries participated in the second year. EPILOBEE was a descriptive study aimed
at collecting official and comparable data on honeybee colony mortality. Besides, the program
aimed at guiding the member states in establishing the scientific and technical measures for the
development of European Union veterinary legislation and national systems in the field of bee
health. Particularly the program aimed at evaluating the established method for bee health
surveillance and improve their capacity to plan, process, and complete such surveillance.
Moreover, the program acted as a basis for future feasible and repeatable methods for active
surveillance for honeybee colony mortality. Moreover, the program was able to highlight the

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causes of honeybee colony mortality, such as pathogens, pesticides, climatic conditions, and the
interactions.
Apiculture, also known as bee keeping is the maintenance of honey bee colonies by
human beings with an aim of collecting its by products, which include honey, bee wax, and
propolis, among others (Manhas, 2018). Apiculture has been practiced for past two centuries and
beyond. There are four main species of bees, which include the rock bee (Apis dorsata), Indian
bee (Apis cerana indica), little bee (Apis florea), and European bee (Apis mellifera). Notably, a
honeybee colony comprises of three castes, which include queen, worker, and drone. There are
two methods of beekeeping, which include the indigenous and modern methods. The modern
method is based on the Bee Space theory developed by Langstroth, which exhibits the optimum
distance to be left between two adjacent comb surfaces in a bee hive that is important for normal
development and operation of bees (Manhas, 2018).
As evident, there are various products of apiculture, such as honey, beeswax, royal jelly,
bee venom, and propolis. Honey is used as both food and medicine whereby it is a nutritious
food and rich in energy and vitamins; besides, it prevents cold, fever, and cough. Beeswax is
used in the manufacture of creams, lotions, candles whereas the royal jelly is utilized in the
treatment of diabetes and osteoporosis. Consequently, there are various types disease that attack
bees, such as Acarine, Varoasis, American foulbrood, and Nosema, among others. Acarine
infests on the tracheal system of the bee whereas Varoasis sucks the haemolymph of bee. On the
other hand, American foulbrood causes death of bee larvae whereas Nosema destroys stomach
cells and interferes with the digestion system.

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Identification of the Problem
There are various studies that have focused on colony losses across the world, whereby
the studies have proved that numerous environmental and biological determinants either acting
singularly or in a combination have significant impact on the premature colony mortality
(Vanengelsdorp, et al. 2013). For instance, in Canada and the United States there have been
increase in losses of honeybee colonies at the rate of 19%; moreover, European countries have
experienced a reduction in honey bee colonies and beekeepers at the rate of 16% and 31%
respectively (Vanengelsdorp, et al. 2013). Consequently, a statement by the European
beekeepers exhibits they tend to face challenges in honeybee hive health, which leads to colony
losses. As evident, there are beekeepers not in European Union but also across the world are
facing challenges in beekeeping thus the following study seeks to exhibit the rate of mortality
within the two-year period. Moreover, the study will showcase the regional (country) difference
in colony loses; besides, it is essential to understand if the climatic changes have affected the
colony losses. Furthermore, the research will explore on various disease that tend to have an
impact on colony losses. Consequently, the study will provide and recommendations on how to
curb or minimize the above challenges.
Literature Review
There are approximately 620,000 beekeepers in Europe, whereby they practice this type
of farming for either own consumption or commercial purposes (European Commission, 2013).
A study by Chauzat, et al., (2013) exhibits that Beekeeping contributes to the EU in various
ways, such as economically whereby it contributes approximately EUR 14.2 billion per year,
environmentally by maintain the ecological balance, biologically whereby 85% of the plant
species and 76% of the food production in Europe depend on pollination by both wild and
domestic bees. Moreover, the study exhibits that European honey production honey production is

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approximately 220,000 tons per year. Besides, the price of honey varies from 1.5 to 40€ per
kilogram depending on the country and the distribution network.
Honeybees, alongside a multiple of other pollinators (insects and birds) play a critical
part in transferring pollen grains from one plant to another. The pollination process facilitates the
mixing of plant genes, which is critical in maintaining sustainable biodiversity in both wild
ecosystems and agricultural land (Chauzat, et al., 2013). Notably, 80% of the 264 crop species
grown in the EU rely on directly on insect pollinators; besides, the global annual monetary value
of pollination is estimated at €153 Billion. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) exhibit
that by increasing the density and variety of pollinating insects, farmers will record an increase
on their product9ivity by an average of 24%. However, due to various factors the region and the
world in general has experience high rates of mortality of bees, which would cost the EUR 150
billion worldwide or 10% of the market value of food that depend on pollination.
A study (Locke & Fries 2011) by exhibits that with some rare exceptions Varroosis
(parasitic disease) induces significant losses across the world at the rate of 12% to 15%.
Moreover, Nosemosis (fungal disease) has been exhibited to 20 to 30% death of bees across the
world (Higes et al. 2013). Generally, the studies above have explored the critical role that bees
play on various aspects including the economical and biological environment. Besides, the
studies indicate the adverse impacts of mortality of bees.
Data Collection
Data was collected over the winter and during the beekeeping season, whereby both first
and second year (from autumn 2012 to summer 2014) three visits were performed, which include
before winter (autumn), after winter (spring), and during beekeeping season (summer). The
EPILOBEE used a questionnaire to collect the data, which was subdivided into various

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categories, which include personal data, production, and diseases, among others. Generally, the
questionnaires incorporated the farming practices and clinical observations. Moreover, the study
performed laboratory analyses on the samples collected during data collection. The study
retrieved that data from an online database developed by the EURL in conjunction with French
epidemiological surveillance platform for Animal Health. The data set comprises of 4758
observation from apiaries across Europe.
Methodology
The study used various statistical measures to exhibit the characteristics of the data set.
The primal tool incorporated in the study was the visualization, which aid exhibiting the
graphical presentation of the data. Moreover, the study used chi-square test of association and
cross tabulations to show the association between various variables of interest (factors).
Consequently, to perform the above measures the study used the Ms Excel statistical tool pack.
Data Analysis
Descriptive Statistics
The table below exhibits the age distribution of beekeepers incorporated in the study, whereby it
is evident that age group 45 – 65 tends to engage in the practice compare to others. Moreover,
the bar graph below exhibits that beekeeping has not been adopted by the young farmers (less
than 30 years)
Age Count of Age
1. Less than 30 169
2. 30-45 915
3. 45-65 2600
4. Over 65 1074

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1___Less than 30
2___30-45
3___45-65
4___Over 65
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Count of Age
The table below shows the various reasons that the farmers engage in apiculture, which include
hobby, part-time, and professional. As evident, among the 4758 farmers 3078 (64.7%) practice
apiculture as a hobby.
Activity Count of Activity
Hobby 3078
Part time 819
Professional 861
Hobby Part_time Professional
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
Purpose for farming

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Honey Bee Breeds
There are 8 breeds of honey incorporated in the study however, the following table shows the
distribution of breeds in various countries. It is evident that A.m Carnica is the commonly bred
honeybee in EU whereas A. Iberiensis is the rare breed, which is only found in one (SPAIN) out
of the 17 EU member states.
Row Labels carnica ccm iberiensis ligustic
a
mellifera Buckfas
t
Hybrid Local
bees
Grand
Total
BELGIUM 136 27 79 30 2 274
DENMARK 43 2 20 2 150 29 19 265
ENGLAND
& WALES
7 1 1 9 10 130 3 161
ESTONIA 108 90 34 86 37 355
FINLAND 84 165 1 18 17 6 291
FRANCE 13 4 2 23 51 181 196 470
GERMANY 276 12 2 65 355
GREECE 3 47 33 1 90 174
HUNGARY 345 1 1 347
ITALY 45 163 16 4 22 8 258
LATVIA 29 14 11 56 81 13 19 223
LITHUANI
A
51 1 9 24 104 91 280
POLAND 303 15 3 2 30 353
SLOVAKIA 358 2 1 2 363
SPAIN 4 147 194 1 15 361
SWEDEN 23 47 5 122 5 26 228
Grand Total 1828 86 147 501 380 588 651 577 4758
Disease Distribution
There are five disease that affect the region, which include American Foulbrood,
Varroosis, Chronic Paralysis, Nosemosis, and European Foulbrood. The graph below exhibits the
disease distribution in the region, whereby it is evident that Varroosis is the most common
disease with 37% of the respondent (398) reporting about the disease. However, there are rare
cases of both Chronic Paralysis and European Foulbrood.

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46%
7%10%
33%
5%
Disease Distribution in EU
VarroosisV2 ChronicParalysisV2 AmericanFoulbroodV2
NosemosisV2 EuropeanFoulbroodV2
Disease Prevalence
American Foul Brood
The overall prevalence of the disease was low in 9 countries which recorded less than
12% cases of the disease. However, the disease is common in Poland since 46% of the
respondents reported the cases. On the side, Demark, Finland, Germany, Italy, and Latvia did not
record any cases of the disease.
BELGIUM
DENMARK
ENGLAND & WALES
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
HUNGARY
ITALY
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
POLAND
SLOVAKIA
SPAIN
SWEDEN
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
2% 0%
6% 8%
0% 1% 0% 4%
12%
0% 0%
8%
46%
5% 3% 5%
AmericanFoulbroodV2

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Varroosis
The disease recorded the highest prevalence in the region whereby it all countries except
Slovakia recorded a case about the disease with Poland reporting the highest cases at 30%.
BELGIUM
DENMARK
ENGLAND & WALES
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
HUNGARY
ITALY
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
POLAND
SLOVAKIA
SPAIN
SWEDEN
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
1% 4%
12%
1% 4%
7%
2% 3%
0% 3%
12%
3%
30%
0%
10%
7%
VarroosisV2
Nosemosis
Nosemosis recorded a moderate prevalence in the region; however, Poland had the
highest cases with 46% of the respondents reporting about the disease.
BELGIUM
DENMARK
ENGLAND & WALES
ESTONIA
FINLAND
FRANCE
GERMANY
GREECE
HUNGARY
ITALY
LATVIA
LITHUANIA
POLAND
SLOVAKIA
SPAIN
SWEDEN
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
2% 0%
6% 8%
0% 1% 0% 4%
12%
0% 0%
8%
46%
5% 3% 5%
NosemosisV2