Vol. 7, Issue 8, Part C (2025)

Honeybees, vital pollinators essential for ecosystem health, are vulnerable to various bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases that pose a threat to honeybee colonies. As many as 60% and 90% of plant species depend upon pollinators to reproduce (Kremen et al. 2007). Since many agricultural crops depend on pollinators, bees play a vital role in the ecology, economy, and food production across all countries (Garcia-Anaya et al. 2016; Hamadache et al. 2017). Apart from pollination services honey bees also provide honey, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis and bee venom (Tej et al. 2017, Greenleaf and Kremen, 2006, Bosch and Kemp, 2002). Similar to other living organisms, honeybees and their products are susceptible to harmful diseases, pests, and pesticides. Successful beekeeping requires regular and timely monitoring of any factors that harm bee colonies. Honeybee diseases have been recognized as one of the primary biotic factors hindering successful beekeeping practices. Bee diseases cause considerable loss for beekeepers resulting in absconding of colonies, reduction in honey and beeswax production. Perez-Sato et al. (2009) stated that the major constraint faced by the beekeepers all over the world is pests and diseases. It is evident that therefore, both beginning and advanced beekeepers should learn to recognize and control bee diseases. Diseases of honey bees are generally classified into brood diseases and adult diseases. Brood diseases are caused by bacteria (American foul brood and European foul brood); virus (sac brood disease) and fungi (chalk brood and stone brood diseases). Adult diseases are mainly caused by protozoa (nosema disease) (Abrol, 1997).