A disease is destroying bee colonies in Western Georgia. The problem, which is showing a growing trend, is caused by Tropilellaps, a parasite that causes severe weakening and destruction of bee colonies. Beekeepers say that the disease was first detected in the country in 2023 and has destroyed many bee colonies.
Shota Kalandarishvili, beekeeper of Taplikatsi at the Alaverdi Monastery, says that the problem will reduce honey yields and make it more expensive.
“New diseases are coming, such as tropilelapsis, we know that we are not the ones to stop it. This disease will spread more, so we must learn to fight, regulate and control it so that it does not harm our frarms.
This is a global problem. Last year, it was recorded in Western Georgia, and this parasite has a very high ability to reproduce. It harms bees more than well-known diseases. A working group has already been created, work is underway with the Ministry of Agriculture to jointly record and localize this disease, although it has not yet been recorded in Kakheti, but we expect that it will be recorded there after some time and by then we should have time to learn how to deal with it.
Bee colonies have already been destroyed in Western Georgia, which will affect the harvest and, of course, the price of honey will increase,” said the beekeeper Shota Kalandarishvili.
