Varroa mite is one of the pests parasitizing on honey bees inflicting substantial effects on beekeeping subsector worldwide. Since its first report in Ethiopia in 2015, the mite has got distributed to various locations of the country. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence, infestation levels and risk factors of varroa mites in South-western Region, Ethiopia. A total of five districts purposively selected based on their potentialities for beekeeping and accessibilities for data collection. Data collection was undertaken during wet and dry seasons from 384 colonies, mite prevalence and infestation data on adult bees and in brood collected following standard protocols. The overall prevalence rate of mite in the area was recorded as 73.81% and 48.44% with higher prevalence rates, 83.33% (p < 0.01) and 54.95% (p < 0.001) during wet seasons for apiary and colony levels respectively. The infestation level (Mean ± SE) of colonies on adults and broods were recorded as 1.367 ± 0.080 versus 1.819 ± 0.095 during dry season, and 2.481 ± 0.151 versus 3.299 ± 0.194 during wet seasons. The Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that agro ecology, season, hive placement sites, and colony status were determinants for its prevalence. Similarly, agro ecology, season, colony management and colony status were determinants for the infestation levels of varroa mites. Detailed investigation on its effect on honey yield, impacts of possible colony management options in minimizing its prevalence and infestation level needs follow up studies.

The study was conducted in Kafa and Benchi-Sheko zones with an intention to identify types of pesticides, their utilization, and impacts on beekeeping. Purposive sampling was used for study sites selection. Accordingly, a total of four districts from two zones: Debub Benchi and Guraferda from Benchi Sheko Zone; Chena and Gimbo districts from Kafa zone were selected. Three peasant associations (PAs) were purposively selected from each district based on their pesticide utilization and agro-ecologies. Available data were collected through conducting questionnaire survey with farmers and key informants’ interviews (KII). In addition, focus group discussions (FGDs) and field observations were undertaken to exploit the necessary information on the types of pesticides, their supplies or marketing, and overall cares taken during utilization. However, to assess the utilization status among vast users (farmers) and comparing the general utilization status of two farmer groups: beekeepers and non-beekeepers, a formative survey data was collected from both groups (containing 180 respondents each). In the areas, a total of 12-types of pesticides: Roundup (Isopropylamine salt of glyphosate), 2,4-D (2.4-Dichloro-phenoxy acetic acid), Malathion (Carbaryl 0.3%, malathion 6%, Captan-12%), Diazinon (Phosphorothiota-48%), Ridomil (Metalaxyl-M40g/kg, Mancozeb 640%g/kg), Mancozeb (Mn²⁺15%, Zn ²⁺2%, C4H6N2S4-58%), Profit (Tricyclazole-75%),Agrolambacin (Profenos 30%, Lambda-Cyhalothrin-2%),Matico (Fluoxastrobin-18%,Tebuconazole-25%), Sevin (Carbaryl-22.5%), Imidacloprid (Imidacloprid 2.5%, Imidazolidi nimine-75%), and Karate (Lambda-Cyhalothrin 1.22%) were found to be used in the areas for controlling various crops’ and animals’ pests and diseases. Of which, 2,4-D and Roundups are widely used for controlling various weeds. About 68.9% of the respondents, use pesticide with significantly higher number of non-beekeepers (73.9%) using pesticides than beekeepers (63.9%) at p < 0.05. Illegal traders, legal traders, and Governmental Organizations were major sources of pesticides sharing 53%, 30%, and 17%, respectively. Utilization level of pesticides was higher in lowlands compared to midland and highland areas. Though most farmers have knowhow on side effects of pesticides, the overall cares taken before, during and after application of pesticides were very less. Data from 180 interviewee beekeepers indicated that a total of 15,644 kg honey estimated to be 62,576 USD lost due to dwindled (1015), absconded (482), and Dead (112) colonies. This revealed an ever-increasing utilization trend accompanied with unrestricted introduction and minimum cares taken resulting for subsequent economic loses from beekeeping subsector as we as pollination services unless a well-designed winning mitigation options undertaken.