Tropilaelaps mites, which have affected beehives in several Asian countries, including India, have been detected in Nepal for the first time.
A team of Nepali and foreign experts discovered the parasites in beehives in Chitwan, according to state-owned news agency RSS. The team included honeybee and pollination expert Dr. Kedar Devkota, Chief of the Honeybee Development Office Sujan Amgai, and scientists from Andong University, South Korea, and National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan.
Foreign scientists are in Nepal for a three-day international conference organized by Agriculture and Forestry University in Chitwan. As part of their visit, a team from Korea and Taiwan examined commercial beehives in eastern Chitwan, and their findings will be submitted to the government.
The government had previously stated that Tropilaelaps mites were not found in Apis mellifera commercially reared in the district. However, scientists have now advised farmers and experts to take precautions, as Varroa mites have also been detected. These mites typically breed in June, July, and August.
Shiva Sharma, former president of the Nepal Beekeepers Association, who accompanied the scientists in Chitwan, urged beekeepers to remain cautious following the detection of the mites.
The conference in Chitwan includes scientists from Nepal, the U.S., Taiwan, Korea, Bangladesh, India, and Norway, with over 50 research papers set to be presented before it concludes on Tuesday.
RSS
