Diversity and distribution of pests and predators of honeybees in Himachal Pradesh, India

An intensive survey was conducted in 30 apiaries, located in different agro climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh reveals, among invertebrates, insects and arachnids were the most prominent pest of honeybees. Hymenoptera (17), Diptera (3), Lepidoptera (2) and Coleoptera (2) and Orthoptera (1), Dictyoptera (1), Odonata (1) and Thysanura (1) were prominent. The Arachnids, consisted of Acarina (13) and Araneae(3) and Pseudoscorpionida (1). Besides insects and arachnids, 3 species of molluscs were also observed invading the bee colonies. Not only invertebrates, but, honey bee colonies were also invaded by vertebrates which included 2 species of reptiles, apes and mammals, and 1 of amphibians.