Apis Cerana Research Articles

A Review of different Honey from Indonesia and Malaysia

Indonesia and Malaysia share contiguous territories and are renowned for their honey production. In addition, they possess extensively published studies on honey. This study aims to present a comprehensive analysis of the many types of honey found in Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as their health-promoting components. The employed methodology entails conducting a comprehensive review of both primary and secondary literature. The literature search employed online tools, including NCBI-PubMed, Google Scholar, and Elsevier. Indonesia and Malaysia share similar species of bees, including Apis Dorsata, Apis Mellifera, Apis Trigona, and Apis Cerana. The phenolics and antioxidants have garnered the most focus among the components. Notable health advantages encompass the facilitation of diabetic wound healing, enhancement of reproductive health, and promotion of mental well-being.

Analysis of comb-gnawing behavior in Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Apis cerana cerana exhibits a prominent biological trait known as comb gnawing. In this study, gnawed combs from colonies during different seasons were collected, investigating the comb age and locations of gnawing. Patterns of comb gnawing were recorded, and the effects of 2 factors, namely, comb type and season, on the mass of wax residues and the gnawed surface area were measured. The results revealed that A. c. cerana predominantly gnaws combs that have been used for over 6 months, with gnawing concentrated in the brood-rearing area. In the first 3 seasons, significantly higher masses of wax residues and larger gnawed surface areas were found in greater wax moth larvae (GWML)-infested combs compared to newly built and old combs. Also, there were significantly higher masses and areas gnawed by A. c. cerana in old combs compared to newly built combs in all 4 seasons. Compared to other seasons, it exhibited significantly higher masses and areas resulting from comb-gnawing in newly built or old combs in winter. However, there were no significant differences in the masses of wax residues and surface areas gnawed in GWML-infested combs across the first 3 seasons. In conclusion, this study documented the impact of comb type and season on the comb-gnawing behavior of A. c. cerana, contributing to beekeeping management practices and the current understanding of bee biology.

Interactive Effect of Honey Bees [Apis mellifera, Apis cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae)] and Native Bees for Pollination Services in Radish, Raphanus sativus

Radish flowers, being self-incompatible are highly reliant on insect visitors for pollination. Honey bees are effective pollinators of radish. Pollination is influenced by visitation rates, behaviour and pollination effectiveness of pollinators which aid in seedset. We explored bee behaviour known to favour pollination; flowers visited per unit time and time required to process a flower by honey bees and non-Apis bees visiting radish. During our study, 54 species/morphospecies were observed to visit radish flowers, of which Apis cerana indica is predominant. Pollinator effectiveness was measured by means of seed set by flowers receiving a single visit of a specific pollinator as compared to seed set by flowers allowed for open pollination (multiple visits) and was found to be 0.31 and 0.36 for A. cerana and Apis mellifera, respectively. Yield enhancement studies through entomophily showed that, flowers receiving unrestricted visit of pollinators (open control) recorded 265.5% higher yield followed by interaction of two pollinators (A. c. indica + A. mellifera) 198.3%, A. mellifera (163.8%) and A. c. indica (178.3%) with respect to radish flowers allowed only for self-pollination. Pollinator diversity enhanced pollination and seed set in radish. These advantages of pollinator synergies and benefits of biodiversity are increasingly recognized.

Toll receptor ligand Spätzle 4 responses to the highly pathogenic Enterococcus faecalis from Varroa mites in honeybees.

Honeybees play a major role in crop pollination, which supports the agricultural economy and international food supply. The colony health of honeybees is threatened by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, which inflicts physical injury on the hosts and serves as the vector for variable viruses. Recently, it shows that V. destructor may also transmit bacteria through the feeding wound, yet it remains unclear whether the invading bacteria can exhibit pathogenicity to the honeybees. Here, we incidentally isolate Enterococcus faecalis, one of the most abundant bacteria in Varroa mites, from dead bees during our routine generation of microbiota-free bees in the lab. In vivo tests show that E. faecalis is only pathogenic in Apis mellifera but not in Apis cerana. The expression of antimicrobial peptide genes is elevated following infection in A. cerana. The gene-based molecular evolution analysis identifies positive selection of genes encoding Späetzle 4 (Spz4) in A. cerana, a signaling protein in the Toll pathway. The amino acid sites under positive selection are related to structural changes in Spz4 protein, suggesting improvement of immunity in A. cerana. The knock-down of Spz4 in A. cerana significantly reduces the survival rates under E. faecalis challenge and the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes. Our results indicate that bacteria associated with Varroa mites are pathogenic to adult bees, and the positively selected gene Spz4 in A. cerana is crucial in response to this mite-related pathogen.

Seasonal dynamics of the microbiota and nutritional composition in bee bread from Apis cerana and Apis mellifera colonies

Bee bread is a product of honeybees, which collect and ferment pollen, that contains highly nutritious and easily digestible active substances. However, its nutritional composition varies significantly with fermentation strains and seasonal changes. To unveil the patterns of microbial community and nutritional component changes in bee bread across seasons, we employed high-throughput techniques to assess the diversity of bacteria and fungi in bee bread. The results indicated that the compositions of bacteria and fungi in bee bread undergo significant seasonal variation, with noticeable changes in the microbial diversity of bee bread from different bee species. Subsequently, metabolomic analysis revealed high activity of glycerophospholipid metabolism in bee bread. Furthermore, our analysis identifaied noteworthy differences in nutritional components, including pH values, sugar content, and free amino acid levels, in bee bread across different seasons.

The impact of chronic exposure to field-level thiamethoxam on sunflower visitation and yield for Apis cerana

The impact of chronic exposure to field-level thiamethoxam on sunflower visitation and yield for Apis cerana

PKM KELOMPOK TERNAK LEBAH MADU (APIS CERANA) DALAM PENINGKATAN KESEJAHTERAAN KELOMPOK DI DESA BAHA

Apis cerana is a local Asian bee that is distributed almost throughout this continent. Apis cerana is a type of local honey bee that is prone to migration when natural food sources are insufficient. Based on the results of discussions with members of the honey bee group in Baha village, a priority problem that needs to be addressed by group members with assistance from universities can be formulated, namely increasing the ability of group members to be able to adopt appropriate technology for developing honey bees according to required standards so that productivity increases. Adopting technology to reduce mortality rates by using artificial feed. The queen rearing method is used to produce honey bees with high productivity and can carry out post-harvest technology if enough product is produced. The solution offered is to hold outreach. The counseling material concerns: how to develop appropriate, cheap and easy management techniques and develop Apis cerana honey bees, this problem will be informed to honey bee breeders in Baha village, Mengwi sub-district, Badung Regency. Efforts to increase the reproduction and productivity of bees, the application of alternative technology includes the selection of superior seeds and the use/operation of extractor machines in an effort to increase the productivity of bees with their support poles to avoid pests, and how to formulate honey bee animal feed that is cheap, easy to obtain and available in the village. according to livestock needs. After the counseling was carried out, training was carried out for the two groups using three students, such as making colony boxes with supporting poles to avoid pests and diseases of the Apis cerana honey bee.

Effects of the combination of Lactobacillus helveticus and isomalto-oligosaccharide on survival, gut microbiota, and immune function in Apis cerana worker bees.

The adult worker bees were fed sucrose syrup or sucrose syrup supplemented with Lactobacillus helveticus KM7, prebiotic isomalto-oligosaccharide (IMO), or L. helveticus KM7 combined with IMO. Survival rate, gut microbiota, and gene expression of gut antimicrobial peptides in worker honey bees were determined. Administration of L. helveticus KM7 and IMO significantly increased the survival rate in worker bees relative to bees fed sucrose only. Then, higher concentration of both lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium in the gut and lower counts of gut fungi, Enterococcus, and Bacteroides-Porphyromonas-Prevotella were observed in bees fed the combination of KM7 and IMO compared with control bees. The combination of L. helveticus KM7 with IMO showed a greater or comparable modulating effect on those bacteria relative to either KM7 or IMO alone. Furthermore, the combination treatment of L. helveticus KM7 and IMO enhanced mRNA expression of antimicrobial peptide genes, including Abaecin, Defensin, and the gene encoding prophenoloxidase (PPO) in the gut compared with both control bees and those either L. helveticus KM7 or IMO alone. These results suggest that the combination of L. helveticus KM7 and IMO synergistically modifies the gut microbiota and immunity and consequently improves the survival rate of Apis cerana adult workers.

Expression of Cry1Ab/2Aj Protein in Genetically Engineered Maize Plants and Its Transfer in the Arthropod Food Web

While transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize provides pest resistance and a reduced application of chemical pesticides, a comprehensive environmental risk assessment is mandatory before its field release. This research determined the concentrations of Bt protein in plant tissue and in arthropods under field conditions in Gongzhuling City, northeastern China, to provide guidance for the selection of indicator species for non-target risk assessment studies. Bt maize expressing Cry1Ab/2Aj and non-transformed near-isoline were grown under identical environmental and agricultural conditions. Cry1Ab/2Aj was detected in plant tissues and arthropods collected from Bt maize plots during pre-flowering, flowering, and post-flowering. The expression of Cry1Ab/2Aj varied across growth stages and maize tissues, as well as in the collected arthropods at the three growth stages. Therefore, representative species should be chosen to cover the whole growing season and to represent different habitats and ecological functions. Dalbulus maidis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Heteronychus arator (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), and Somaticus angulatus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) are suitable non-target herbivores. Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), Paederus fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Chrysoperla nipponensis (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae), and spiders are suggested predators. Apis cerana and Apis mellifera ligustica (both Hymenoptera: Apidae) represent pollinators and Folsomia candida (Collembola: Isotomidae) decomposers.

Changes in titrable acidity, pH, and reducing sugars of ganoderma kombucha with honey after the fermentation process

Kombucha, a fermented tea beverage prepared with a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) and sucrose as a carbon source, has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. This study aimed to explore the effects of fermentation on the titrable acidity, pH, and reducing sugar content of Ganoderma kombucha with honey. In this study, we used Ganoderma lucidum as a substrate since it is a widely used natural medicinal and promotes health benefits. The sucrose commonly used in kombucha production was replaced with honey to enhance the functional qualities of the final product. Honey derived from Apis cerana and Heterotrigona itama is used in this study, with a ratio of Sugar and honey as follows: 100% honey, 50%:50% honey and sugar, and 100% sugar. The highest titrable acidity was found in kombucha with A. cerana honey (50%:50% honey and sugar) after fermentation i.e. 12.98±0.09%. Both of A .cerana (Sugar and honey 50:50 %) and H.itama (100 %) have the lowest pH after fermentation, i.e. 3.01±0.02 and 3.01±0.01 respectively. The reducing sugar was decreased after the fermentation process. The findings revealed an increase in titrable acidity during the fermentation process, accompanied by decreased pH and reducing sugar values.

Effect of Indigenous Bee Attractants on Bee Visitation and Seed Production of Sesame (Sesamum indicum Linnaeus)

An experiment to determine the effect of various bee attractants on bee visitation and quantitative parameters in sesame crops was conducted during the kharif season in Amritsar, Punjab. The 10% concentration of each bee attractant (honey solution, jaggary solution, sugar solution, sugar+jaggary solution, and glucon-D+milk powder) was sprayed twice at 10 and 50% flowering of the crop, and bee visitation (no. of bees/5 minutes/m2 area) was recorded three times a day at 0800, 1100 and 1400 hrs. After the first spray, a gradual increase in bee visitation was recorded from 1st to 5th day of observation, whereas after the second spray, bee visitation increased till 2nd day followed by a steady decline afterwards. The bee species, including Apis mellifera, Apis cerana, Apis dorsata and Megachile lanata, were observed at a maximum on plots sprayed with honey solution (4.49±0.49, 3.91±0.39, 3.17±0.28, 3.59±0.25 bees/m2/5 min, respectively), followed by jaggary solution, sugar solution, sugar+jaggary solution, and glucon-D+milk powder. Among the quantitative parameters, the maximum number of capsules per plant (141.86±0.93), seeds per capsule (68.80±0.15), test weight (4.22±0.12 g), and seed yield (5.99 q/ha) were recorded with honey solution.

Analysis of Diversity and Composition of Apis Cerana Gut Microbiome in Overwintering Period

Abstract Cold temperatures limit the survival and reproduction of honeybees. Therefore, successful overwintering is crucial for the survival of honeybee colonies and the pollination of flowering plants in the following spring. This study analyzed the gut microbiota of Apis cerana from Changbai Mountain during the overwintering period through 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. The analysis of microbial community composition showed that Gilliamella, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Snodgrassella were the core genera in the honeybee gut during the overwintering period. Moreover, alpha diversity analysis showed that the community diversity of the gut microbiota peaked in December. Beta diversity and LEfSe analysis showed that community composition was similar in December, January and February and that such beneficial bacteria as Snodgrassella, Acetobacteraceae, and Rhizobiales were differentially abundant during this period. The results of functional prediction analysis indicate that amino acid transport and metabolism, carbohydrate transport and metabolism, and the TCA cycle play an important role in overwintering. These results suggest that the dynamic changes in the gut microbiota of A. cerana during winter and mechanisms tolerate cold stress.

Chemical Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Beeswaxes of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana

Chemical Composition and Physicochemical Properties of Beeswaxes of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana

Study on insect diversity and pollination effect on the yield of elephant apple

An experiment was conducted from June to November 2021 at the Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University in Dhaka to find out the insect diversity and pollination effects on the yield of elephant apple. Six flower visiting insects (Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, Xylocopa sp., Vespa sp., Camponotus copressus and Syrphes sp.) from five insect families (Apidae, Vespidae, Anthophoridae, Formicidae, and Syrphidae) under two orders (Hymenoptera and Diptera) were observed. Apidae (33.33%), Vespidae (16.67%), Formicidae (16.67%), Syrphidae (16.67%), and Anthoporidae (16.67%) visited flowers. Apis dorsata was the most frequent insect pollinator (47.62%), with 5.00 per flower on average. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index for species was 1.562. The highest foraging duration was recorded for Apis dorsata at 1.4 minutes per flower. Without netting and with netting, elephant apple plants produced 7.00 and zero (0.00) fruit per branch, respectively. Plants without netting had 464 kg of fruit per plant, 92.8 tonnes per ha of yield, and no fruit in the netting treatment. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2023, 9(2): 75-82

Pan-genome analysis highlights the role of structural variation in the evolution and environmental adaptation of Asian honeybees.

The Asian honeybee, Apis cerana, is an ecologically and economically important pollinator. Mapping its genetic variation is key to understanding population-level health, histories and potential capacities to respond to environmental changes. However, most efforts to date were focused on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) based on a single reference genome, thereby ignoring larger scale genomic variation. We employed long-read sequencing technologies to generate a chromosome-scale reference genome for the ancestral group of A. cerana. Integrating this with 525 resequencing data sets, we constructed the first pan-genome of A. cerana, encompassing almost the entire gene content. We found that 31.32% of genes in the pan-genome were variably present across populations, providing a broad gene pool for environmental adaptation. We identified and characterized structural variations (SVs) and found that they were not closely linked with SNP distributions; however, the formation of SVs was closely associated with transposable elements. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis using SVs revealed a novel A. cerana ecological group not recoverable from the SNP data. Performing environmental association analysis identified a total of 44 SVs likely to be associated with environmental adaptation. Verification and analysis of one of these, a 330 bp deletion in the Atpalpha gene, indicated that this SV may promote the cold adaptation of A. cerana by altering gene expression. Taken together, our study demonstrates the feasibility and utility of applying pan-genome approaches to map and explore genetic feature variations of honeybee populations, and in particular to examine the role of SVs in the evolution and environmental adaptation of A. cerana.

Genetic diversity of the eastern honey bee (Apis cerana) in Changbai Mountain

ABSTRACT Apis cerana in Changbai Mountain is the only eastern honey bee ecotype in Northeast China, which can adapt well to the local agricultural and ecological environment. We analysed the genetic diversity and genetic characteristics of A. cerana in Changbai Mountain using five microsatellite markers, a mitochondrial marker of a tRNAleu-CO II fragment, and 21 morphological markers. Our results showed that the genetic diversity of A. cerana in Changbai Mountain was higher than that found in previous studies. There were 11 haplotypes, among which Haplotype Changbai Mountain 1 was the major haplotype. There was no genetic differentiation in morphometric was found in Apis cerana of Changbai Mountain in Jilin (JL) individuals, and the Liaoning (LN) individuals was significantly different from the Jilin (JL) and Heilongjiang (HL) individuals. Based on the genetic diversity of A. cerana in Changbai Mountain, we also suggested some strategies for the protection and utilisation of the genetic resources of this species in Changbai Mountain.

Effects of meliponiculture Tetragonula laeviceps on pollinator diversity and visitation rate and citrus productivity in West Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Nurdiansyah MA, Abduh MY, Permana AD. 2023. Effects of meliponiculture Tetragonula laeviceps on pollinator diversity and visitation rate and citrus productivity in West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 24: 5757-5763. Citrus reticulata var. Rimau Gerga Lebong (RGL) is a prominent Indonesian citrus variety, yet its global productivity is facing challenges due to decreasing diversity in pollinators. This study aimed to bolster the productivity of C. reticulata var. RGL in Bandung by introducing Tetragonula laeviceps Smith 1857 (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Simultaneously, the study explored the influence of pollinator diversity, foraging behavior, and visitation rates and compared the results with open and wind pollination. Field investigations were conducted to observe the pollination activities of T. laeviceps and eight wild pollinator species, including Apis cerana Fabricius 1793, Ceratina cognata Smith 1879, Xylocopa confusa Pérez 1901, Xylocopa latipes Drury 1773, Vespa affinis Linnaeus 1764, Dolichoderus thoracicus Smith 1860, Papilio demoleus Linnaeus 1758, and Catopsilia pyrantel Linnaeus 1758. T. laeviceps exhibited the highest relative abundance (34.87%) and an average time spent of 72.11 seconds per flower. Visitation rates were highest during noon (10:00 to 13:00) at 0.31 pollinators/hour/flower, influenced by temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity. The phenological stages of C. reticulata var. RGL spanned 240 days. Fruit set, fruit weight, and estimated citrus productivity were significantly higher in T. laeviceps and open pollination compared to wind pollination. This study highlights the suitability of T. laeviceps as an effective pollinator for C. reticulata var. RGL. The findings have implications for the conservation and management of pollinator populations to ensure sustainable citrus production in the declining global diversity.

Evaluation of body weight and morphometric characteristics of the young queen of Apis cerana javana at different queen cup cell sizes

Abstract. Masyithoh D, Kentjonowaty I, Salleh SM, Ustadi, Agussalim, Nastain FS. 2023. Evaluation of body weight and morphometric characteristics of the young queen of Apis cerana javana at different queen cup cell sizes. Biodiversitas 24: 5626-5633. This study investigates body weight and morphometric characteristics of Apis cerana javana queen rearing based on differences in the queen cup sizes. The queen cell sizes were divided into three categories; the first group was a small category (T1) with a height of 0.75 cm, top diameter of 0.65 cm, and bottom diameter of 0.44 cm. The second treatment was medium category (T2) with a height of 0.85 cm, a top diameter of 0.71 cm, and a bottom diameter of 0.54 cm. The third treatment was a large category (T3) with a height of 1.00 cm, a top diameter of 0.71 cm, and a bottom diameter of 0.62 cm. The morphometrics investigated consisted of hatch weight, pupae length, body length, head, abdomen, wing, and hind leg morphometrics. The results showed that the differences in the queen cup size had no effect (P>0.05) on the hatch weight, body length, width, and length of the head, thorax, fore and hind wing (length and width), and abdomen (length and height). The different queen cell sizes did not affect the wing morphometrics (P>0.05). In addition, the leg morphometrics consisting of femur, tibia, tarsus, and metatarsus were also not affected (P>0.05) by the different queen cup sizes. These results revealed that the different queen cup sizes did not negatively impact the morphometric characteristics of A. cerana javana queen’s.

Taxonomic study of Apis cerana (Fabricius, 1793), collected from Prunus persica (L.) Stokes flowers from different areas of Himachal Pradesh

Taxonomic study of Apis cerana (Fabricius, 1793), collected from Prunus persica (L.) Stokes flowers from different areas of Himachal Pradesh

Floral Handling by <i>Apis cerana indica</i> F. in Sunflower

The foraging activity of Apis cerana indica F with specific to their floral handling time on sunflower has been investigated at MSSSoA, Centurion University of Technology and Management in Gajapati district of Odisha in two cropping seasons. Floral handling time was to be maximum during mid flowering stages and the least during late flowering. The mean time spent on flowers was higher during 10:00-11:00 AM in the second season whereas it was during 01:00-02:00 PM in the first season.