Characterization of Honeybees (Apismellifera L.) Behavior and Swarming Tendency in Bale, Southeastern Ethiopia

The study was conducted to characterize honeybee's behavior and swarming tendency in Bale Zone of Oromia Regional state, South-eastern part of Ethiopia in 2014/15. Three districts (Dinsho, Adaba and DelloMenna) were considered based on variations in agro-ecology. From each districts two Rural Kebele (RKs), from each RK 30 beekeepers and a total of 180 beekeepers were selected using purposive sampling method. The selected beekeepers were interviewed using pre-tested structure questioners and single- visit – multiple formal survey method used to collect the data. The result showed that the sample respondents categorized honeybees as black (41%), red (15%), grey (10%) and (33.9) mixture of black and red.