Abstract

Introduction Absconding is a behavioural trait of all honeybees but is particularly well expressed in many African subspecies of Apis mellifera and other tropical species of Apis (Hepburn and Radloff, 1998; Ruttner, 1988; Punchihewa, 1994; Kevan, 1995; Hepburn and Radloff, 1998). Absconding in the same population may be resource-related and seasonal (Douhet, 1970; N'diaye, 1974; Rashad and El-Sarrag, 1978) or result from disturbances such as fire, predation (including beekeeping manipulations) and declining nest quality (Potiron, 1972; Castagn, 1983; Chandler, 1976). In disturbance related absconding a honeybee colony often abandons eggs, open and capped brood, food reserves, foragers afield and, sometimes, even the queen (de Villiers, 1883; Gough, 1928; Hepburn, 1988). In resource-related absconding it may cannibalise most of the nest contents before departure (Woyke, 1989; Mutsaers, 1994). From a beekeeping perspective absconding represents a loss in production so it has acquired a

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