Beekeeping practices and management capacity shape colony resilience across the Arab world: a COLOSS-aligned survey

Beekeeping across the Arab world occurs under diverse climatic and socio-economic conditions, yet comprehensive assessments of management practices and adaptive capacity remain scarce. This study presents a COLOSS-aligned survey of beekeeping practices, constraints, and behavioral performance across twelve Arab countries. A web-based questionnaire conducted between January and May 2025 yielded 170 valid responses. Varroa destructor was the dominant biotic constraint, reported by 72.94% of respondents, followed by predation from bee-eaters and oriental hornets, whereas large hive beetle incidence remained below 5%. Disease occurrence was seasonal, with Nosema spp. most frequently reported during winter and spring, while brood diseases were uncommon. Natural Varroa treatments were preferred by 91.2% of beekeepers, compared with 46.5% using chemical treatments. To comprehensively evaluate beekeeper behavior, a composite Beekeepers’ Behavioral Index (BBI) was developed, integrating colony health, commercial management, environmental stewardship, and institutional engagement. The BBI revealed strong commitment to colony management and professional practices but limited participation in training, extension services, and production improvement initiatives. Behavioral performance increased with beekeeping experience and operation size. Cluster analysis identified three distinct beekeeper typologies: professional elite, practical commercial, and struggling/low-capacity groups, differing in productivity and winter colony losses. Comparisons between arid and temperate-influenced regions showed similar behavioral patterns, although temperate beekeepers achieved higher colony management scores. Overall, the findings suggest that management capacity, access to knowledge, and institutional support contribute more to Apis mellifera colony resilience than climate alone. The BBI offers a practical framework for evaluating beekeeper behavior and guiding sustainable apiculture development across the Arab world.