This document presents a study on the distribution of pseudoscorpions in honey bee colonies in Nepal. Pseudoscorpions are small arachnids that can be found in bee hives. The study aims to determine if pseudoscorpions associate symbiotically with honey bee colonies. Field surveys will be conducted at 15 districts across Nepal to search for pseudoscorpions in Apis cerena and Apis melifera hives. Any pseudoscorpions found will be collected and identified. The distribution patterns of pseudoscorpions in honey bee colonies across Nepal will be developed. The results of this study may show whether or not pseudoscorpions associate symbiotically with honey bee colonies.

1. DISTRIBUTION OF
PSEUDOSCORPION IN HONEY
BEE COLONIES (APIS MELIFERA
AND APIS CERENA ) IN NEPAL.
Umesh Acharya

2. INTRODUCTION
 Pseudoscorpions, are arthropod belonging to class
Arachnida.
 They are flightless arthropods.
 They are known as false scorpions or book
scorpion.
 3533 species with 454 genera of 26 families
by
naturgucher.de

3.  Among them only 23 species found in Asia, Australia
and European part of Russia.(Harvey et al 2012).
 six genera have been reported from bees(Hacini and
Doumandji, 2014).
 Pseudoscorpions remain the least studied in terms of
their ecology(diversity and biological role). (Harvey
2007).
By Naturgucher.de

4. OBJECTIVE
 To study distribution of pseudoscorpion in
honey bees colonies.

5. HYPOTHESIS
Ho: Pseudoscorpions associate
symbiotically with honey bee colonies.
H1: Pseudoscorpions does not
associate symbiotically with honey
bee colonies.

6. STUDY AREAS
Dang
Manang
Kavre
Ila
m
sunsa
ri
Moran
g
Jhapa
study
areas
Map showing study Area

7. MATERIALS AND
METHODS
 70% ethanol(Preserving materials)
 Centrifuge tube(15ml)
 Forceps
 Geographical information
system(GIS)
 Stereo microscope
Stereo
microscope

8. METHODS
SURVEY OF PSEUDOSCORPION:
 Direct field survey will be done in hives of
Apis cerena and Apis melifera at 15
different districts of Nepal, having different
altitudes(113m to 3570m from sea level)
and climatic condition(tropical to
temperate).
 The hive will be inspected and presence
and absence of pseudoscorpion in colony
will be observed.

9. COLLECTION OF PSEUDOSCORPION
Arrow showing location of pseudoscorpion in hives
 The bottom board, frames,
inner side of lid, inner walls
of hive will be observed to
check presence of pseudo-
scorpion.
 Pseudoscorpion will be
collected by using the forceps
and collected sample will be
preserved in 70% ethanol.

10. SLIDE PREPARATION &
IDENTIFICATION
Disection will be required for examination
of specimen for taxonomic purposes.
In most cases a chela, pedipalp
chelicera and one leg I and one leg IV
will be removed from the specimen.
Temporary slide mounts will be prepared
using lactic acid (hoff 1949) and
Nelson(2005).
The measurent of morphological study
will be done for identification.

11. Habitus of male and female
pseudoscorpion
Redikorzev
Fig:1 a. habitus of male b. habitus of female

12. Leg I and Leg IV(lateral and dorsal view)
Leg I and leg IV ( lateral view
Leg I and leg IV dorsal view

13. Chela (lateral and dorsal view)
a
b
Fig a. chela lateral view b. chela ventral
view

14. Pedipalp chelicera dorsal and lateral view
a. Pedipalp lateral view b. Pedipalp dorsal
view
a b

15. EXPECTED RESULT
The distribution pattern of
pseudoscorpion in honey bee colonies
in Nepal will be developed.
 Pseudoscorpion in honey bee colonies
will be identified.

16. TIME FRAME OF THE
STUDY
S
N
Headings September October November
1 Literature review
2 Field survey & Data
collection
3 Data analysis and
interpretation
4 Submission of paper

17. REFERENCES
 Sammet, k. and kurine, O. 2016.
Pseudoscorpions(Arachnida Pseudoscorpiones in
Estonia): new records and an annotated checklist.
Journal of entomologica
fennica,Entomologicafennica:Pp149-163.
 Fombang, A.,Nkoba, k, and Raina s.k. 2014.
Occurrence of pseudoscorpions Ellingsenius
ugandanus and paratemnoides pallidus in honey
bee colonies in Cameroon. Journal of Agricultural
research Pp 76-96.
 Thapa, R.,Wongsiri, S., lyeol.,and soo. C.Y. 2015
Predatory behavior of pseudoscorpions
Ellingsenius indicus associated with Himalayan
apis cerena. Journal of apicultural research.