Apis Mellifera Research Articles

ICP-OES analysis of Lithium in honey, royal jelly, bee bread, propolis, and bees following microwave-assisted sample preparation

AbstractLithium is a natural, ubiquitously-occurring alkali metal found in varying amounts in foods like honey. Recently, lithium chloride (LiCl) was described to be effective against varroosis, a parasitic disease leading to loss of honey bee colonies with limited therapy options. However, LiCl treatment is not currently authorized for use in honey bee colonies. Such treatment might result in elevated lithium amounts in honey. To address this, a robust method for quantifying lithium in honey was validated using a microwave-assisted digestion technique combined with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES), achieving detection levels as low as 0.151 mg/kg. The method was applied to 65 commercially available, randomly chosen honey samples, all of which had lithium levels below the limit of quantitation (LOQ). Furthermore, the method was successfully adapted for use with more complex bee matrices, including royal jelly, bee bread, propolis, and whole bees.

Fat body lipogenic capacity in honey bee workers is affected by age, social role and dietary protein.

All organisms need to balance processes that consume energy against those that produce energy. With an increase in biological complexity over evolutionary time, regulation of this balance has become much more complex, resulting in specialization of metabolic tasks between organelles, cells, organs and, in the case of eusocial organisms, between the individuals that comprise the 'superorganism'. Exemplifying this, nurse honey bees maintain high abdominal lipids, while foragers have very low lipid stores, likely contributing to efficient performance of their social role, and thus to colony fitness. The proximate mechanisms responsible for these metabolic differences remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the effects of age, worker class and dietary macronutrients on the abdominal activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS), the enzyme responsible for de novo synthesis of fatty acids, as well as the effects of age on lipase activity, enzymes responsible for the breakdown of stored lipids. We found that FAS but not lipase activity declines as bees age past peak nursing age. Feeding both nurses and foragers carbohydrates increased FAS activity compared with starved bees, but, whether fed or starved, nurses had much higher FAS activity than similarly treated foragers, implicating reduced lipid synthesis as one component of foragers' low lipid stores. Finally, we used artificial diets with different amounts of protein and fat to precociously induce low, forager-like FAS activity levels in nurse-age bees deprived of protein. We speculate that reduced protein appetite and consumption during the nurse-forager transition is responsible for suppressed lipid synthesis in foragers.

Introgressive hybridisation puts the distinctive population of Apis mellifera mellifera in Ireland at risk: evidence from a multidisciplinary approach

Apis mellifera mellifera a honey bee subspecies at risk of extinction across much of its range has a stronghold in Ireland where it is the native honey bee subspecies and is referred to as the black bee. However, an increase in imports of other subspecies and commercial strains is now a major threat to its genetic integrity. Furthermore, despite assertions by Irelands’ beekeepers that the black bee is a distinct ecotype, little taxonomic work has focused on this population. Here we liaise with beekeepers and assess the managed honey bee cohort for signs of increased introgression. We also investigate morphological variation in A. m. mellifera colonies to establish for the first time a description of this subspecies in Ireland. SNPs and mitochondrial data indicate a further increase in introgression in the population even though much of the population remains A. m. mellifera. The morphology of Irish A. m. mellifera has deviated significantly from European populations and can be characterised as being smaller and hairier, with a broad abdomen, shorter legs and a shorter proboscis. Their fore wings are longer but with a smaller cubital index. These attributes may have evolved as adaptations to the unique environmental and climatic conditions found in Ireland but may also have been influenced by artificial selection and/or genetic drift.

Population Dynamics of the Mite Varroa destructor in Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies in a Temperate Semi-Arid Climate.

This study aimed to analyze the population dynamics of the mite Varroa destructor in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in a temperate semi-arid climate in Mexico. Ten colonies homogeneous in population, food stores, and levels of mite infestation were used. The mite infestation rate in brood and adult bees, total number of mites, daily mite fall, brood and adult bee population, and food stores were determined periodically for 10 months. There was a significant effect (p < 0.05) of sampling period on the population of V. destructor in adult bees, brood, total mite population, and daily fallen mites. The total mite population increased by 26% on average per colony. The increase in brood amount reduced the mite infestation rate in adult bees, and the opposite occurred when the brood decreased. Monitoring V. destructor populations by recording fallen mites is more reliable than determining mite infestation rates in bees, as mite fall has a dynamic pattern similar to that of the total mite population. The best period to apply an acaricide treatment in the region of study is between November and December because most mites were in the phoretic phase, since there was less brood in the colonies compared to other times.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Mite-Borne Pathogen DWV-A and DWV-B Isolated from Lithuania.

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is known as one of the main viruses that affect honeybees' health all around the world. The virus has two widespread genotypes, DWV-A and DWV-B (VDV-1), transmitted mainly by V. destructor mites. In this study, we collected honeycombs with covered broods from 73 apiaries in eight Lithuanian regions and initially investigated the prevalence of V. destructor mites. Mites were collected from May to the end of July in 2021 from 124 hives. The prevalence of V. destructor infestations in beehives reached 30% and 63% in investigated apiaries. The presence of DWV-A and DWV-B pathogens in mites and broods was examined by RT-qPCR targeting the CRPV-capsid region. The molecular characterization of the virus in mite samples was based on sequence analysis of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) region. In addition, leader polypeptide (LP), structural protein (Vp3), Helicase, and RdRp genes were used for phylogenetic characterization of dual infection. The prevalences of DWV-B in mites and broods were 56.5% and 31.5%, respectively, while DWV-A was detected in 12.9% of mite samples and 24.7% of brood samples. Some of the examined mite samples harboured dual virus infections. Our findings showed that bee colonies from the same apiary were not always infected by the same viruses. Some bee colonies were virus-free, while others were highly infected. Phylogenetic analysis of 21 sequences demonstrated the presence of highly variable DWV-B and DWV-A genotypes in Lithuania and possible recombinant variants of the virus. This study represents the first molecular characterization of mite-borne pathogens hosted by honeybees (Apis mellifera) in Lithuania.

Tracking Varroa Parasitism Using Handheld Infrared Cameras: Is Eusocial Fever the Key?

The Varroa destructor is the most significant bee parasite and the greatest threat to bee health all around the world. Due to its hidden lifestyle, detection within the brood cell is only possible through invasive techniques. Enhancing detection methods is essential for advancing research on population dynamics, spread, selection efforts, and control methodologies against the mite. In our study, we employed infrared imaging to measure the thermal differences in parasite and intact Apis mellifera worker broods. Experiments were conducted over two years at the MATE Kaposvár Campus in Hungary involving five beehives in 2022 and five beehives in 2023. A FLIR E5-XT WIFI handheld infrared camera was used to create a heat map of capped brood frames. Our results indicate that the resolution of these cameras is sufficient to provide detailed IR images of a bee colony, making them suitable to detect temperature differences in intact and Varroa parasitized capped brood cells. Mite parasitism causes a time-dependent and sustained temperature increase in developing bee pupae, observable regardless of mite number. Our work demonstrates two different heating patterns: hotspot heating and heating cells that are responsible for the elevated temperature of the Varroa-infested cells as a social fever response by the worker bees. Based on our results, future research combined with AI-based image evaluation software could offer beekeepers and researchers practical and valuable tools for high-throughput, non-invasive Varroa detection in the field.

Evaluation of Some Pollen Substitutes on Productivity of Honey bee Colonies (Apis cerana F.)

This study examined the effects of different pollen substitutes on the performance of honey bee colonies in Assam, India. Natural Corbicula pollen (CPF) and six artificial diets were compared with a sugar syrup control for 15 days. CPF consistently outperformed other treatments in all parameters. Regarding the honey area, the CPF reached 22.63 cm2 and 22.65 cm2 in 2021 and 2022, respectively, while in the control group it was 15.61 cm2 and 15.72 cm2, respectively. CPF also had the highest pollen area (15.59 cm² and 15.68 cm²) and brood area (20.19 cm² and 20.35 cm²) in both years. Colony strength was maximized in the CPF (7.55 and 7.59 for frames 2021 and 2022). Among artificial foods, OUAT-PS (soy flour, honey, yeast, multivitamin) generally performed best, with no significant difference from CPF in colony strength. All pollen substitutes stimulated honey production and brood development with foods rich in proteins, vitamins and amino acids, and significantly improved colony performance compared to controls. These results can help beekeepers select appropriate additional nutrients in times of pollen shortage.

An approach to protected designation of origin (PDO) for bee honey utilizing the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)

ABSTRACT A methodology designed to monitor vegetation changes over multiple years in the vicinity of an apiary is presented. This approach relies on the utilization of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). The findings of the analysis substantiate the viability of effectively tracking vegetation changes in a cost-efficient manner, thereby facilitating the determination of suitable geographical locations for obtaining protected designation of origin (PDO) status for bee honey. In this study, an apiary located in Malta was specifically examined for the production of Maltese autumn honey, which is harvested during December. The results conclusively showed that the vegetation surrounding the apiary remained highly stable between 2018 and 2022, providing strong evidence in support of the PDO status for the honey under examination. The proposed methodology is expected to greatly assist in the comprehensive evaluation of geographic areas for potential PDO logo. The detailed steps have been outlined, and additional studies utilizing diverse geographical regions and various types of honey are encouraged.

Development of germline progenitors in larval queen honeybee ovaries.

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are a keystone species for managed pollination and the production of hive products. Eusociality in honeybees leads to much of the reproduction in a hive driven by the queen. Queen bees have two large active ovaries that can produce large numbers of eggs if conditions are appropriate. These ovaries are also active throughout the long lives of these insects, up to 5 years in some cases. Recent studies have indicated that the germline precursors of the adult honeybee queen ovary are organized into 8-cell clusters, joined together by a polyfusome; a cytoplasmic bridge. To understand the origin of these clusters, and trace the development of the honeybee queen ovary, we examined the cell types and regionalization of the developing larval and pupal queen ovaries. We used established (nanos and castor), and novel (odd skipped) gene expression markers to determine regions of the developing ovary. Primordial germline cells develop in the honeybee embryo and are organized into ovary structures before the embryo hatches. The ovary is regionalized by larval stage 3 into terminal filaments and germaria. At this stage, clusters of germline cells in the germaria are joined by fusomes and are dividing synchronously. The origin of the 8-cell clusters in the adult germarium is therefore during larval stages. On emergence, the queen ovary has terminal filaments and germaria but has not yet developed any vitellaria, which are produced after the queen embarks on a nuptial flight. The lack of germaria, and the storing of germline progenitors as clusters, may be adaptions for queen bees to endure the metabolic demands of a nuptial flight, as well as rapidly lay large numbers of eggs to establish a hive.

Leveraging In Silico Structure-Activity Models to Predict Acute Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Toxicity for Agrochemicals.

In the realm of crop protection products, ensuring the safety of pollinators stands as a pivotal aspect of advancing sustainable solutions. Extensive research has been dedicated to this crucial topic as well as new approach methodologies in toxicity testing. Hence, within the agricultural and chemical industries, prioritizing pollinator safety remains a constant objective during the development of predictive tools. One of these tools includes computational models like quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs) that are valuable in predicting the toxicity of chemicals. This research uses bee toxicity data to develop artificial neural network classification models for predicting honey bee acute toxicity. Bee toxicity data from 1542 compounds were used to develop models; the sensitivity and specificity of the best model were 0.90 and 0.91, respectively. These in silico models can aid in the discovery of next-generation crop protection products. These tools can guide the screening and selection of next-generation crop protection molecules with high margins of safety to pollinators, and candidates with favorable sustainability profiles can be identified at the early discovery stage as precursors to in vivo data generation.

Genomic diversity and population structure of Carniolan honey bee in its native habitat

BackgroundResearch into the genetic diversity of honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) populations has become increasingly significant in recent decades, primarily due to population declines attributed to human activities and climate change. As a species of great importance, breeding programs that leverage understanding of genomic diversity could offer solutions to mitigate these challenges. The objective of this study was to examine the genomic diversity and population structure of Carniolan honey bees (Apis mellifera carnica) using the Illumina SNP chip on a large honey bee sample collected from Central and South-Eastern European countries. The study also aims to offer recommendations for future breeding programs.ResultsOur analysis involved Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC), heterozygosity, admixture analysis, fixation indices (FST), Neighbour-Joining tree, gene flow and Isolation-by-distance analysis. DAPC indicated distinct separation between the Carniolan and Italian honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) populations, whereas the admixture analysis revealed varying levels of gene flow and genetic admixture within the Carniolan honey bee populations, demonstrating closer relationships between specific geographic regions (confirmed by Isolation-by-distance analysis). Furthermore, the research of heterozygosity, genomic inbreeding, pairwise FST values, and Neighbour-Joining tree provided insights into the patterns of genetic differentiation and similarity among the populations of Carniolan honey bee within its natural habitat. We have observed genetic homogeneity of the Carniolan honey bee population when considered in a broader genetic/geographical context. However, the Carniolan honey bee has sufficient genetic diversity in its geographical home range that needs to be carefully monitored and maintained.ConclusionsThis study provides important insights into the genetic composition, differentiation, and relationships among Carniolan honey bee populations in Central and South-Eastern European countries. The findings are crucial for conservation efforts, breeding programs, and sustainable beekeeping practices. They emphasise the importance of considering genetic factors and population structure in the breeding and management of honey bees. By understanding these genetic relationships, we can develop strategies to preserve genetic diversity, improve breeding outcomes, and ensure the resilience of honey bee populations in the face of environmental changes and challenges. This knowledge can also inform policy makers and stakeholders on best practices to maintain healthy bee populations, which are vital for ecosystem services and agricultural productivity.

1117. Crepidiastrum grandicollum (Koidz.) Nakai: Compositae: Plants in peril 41

SummaryCrepidiastrum grandicollum (Koidz.) Nakai (Compositae: Lactuceae: Crepidinae) is described and illustrated. The current synonymy is provided, together with type citations for each of the names and statements of the type material. A selection of verified illustrations of the species in the literature is provided. Statements of the species' distribution, habitat and ecological preferences (with observations on the phytosociological classification), phenology, conservation status, and the etymology of both generic and specific epithets are given along with vernacular names, some of which are apparently literal translations of the Latin binomial. Cultivation, propagation, and availability notes are provided, although the species is Critically Endangered and currently only cultivated Koishikawa Botanical Garden, University of Tokyo, Japan, as part of the Ministry of the Environment's Rare Wild Fauna and Flora Species Protection and Breeding Project. Discussions include pollination syndromes in Crepidiastrum in the Bonin Islands, the intricacies of the involvement of the Honey Bee in their pollination (compared with conservation measures) and the displacement of native insect pollinators, mention of seed/achene dispersal and evolution within the genus, conservation proposals, including the use of exclosures to prevent destruction by feral goats (Capra hircus), and electric fences, adhesive traps and Teflon™ sheets to help control the lizard known as the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis); typhoon damage and the potential for issues with ants ‐ Pheidole (Westwood) spp. (including the African Big‐headed Ant, P. megacephala) are also mentioned. Some consideration for the rôle of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) associations with the endemics in conservation programmes should not be overlooked. Attention is drawn to observations on some bizarre web sites with somewhat bogus information on the species, and why they should be disregarded.

Stable pollinator communities in different white clover populations suggest potential win-win scenarios for crop yield and biodiversity

Compared to monocultures, intercropping systems offer many agronomic benefits, including higher yield stability. In this study, we assessed whether cropping systems that are beneficial for yield stability are also beneficial for pollinator communities and whether the effect is modulated by the landscape type. Using a replicated block design in one heterogeneous and one homogeneous agricultural landscape, we studied the pollinator communities in eight populations (i.e., genotypes) of white clover (Trifolium repens) grown as a monoculture or as a two-species mixture (together with perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne) or three-species mixture (together with perennial ryegrass and chicory, Cichorium intybus). We recorded 1486 honey bees and 1254 wild pollinators belonging to 46 species. Bumble bees were the most abundant wild pollinators (49.6 %), followed by hover flies (23.4 %), and non-Bombus wild bees (21.5 %). Lepidoptera accounted for only 5.4 % of the wild pollinators. We found a higher species richness and abundance of wild pollinators in monocultures than in two-species mixtures, but white clover population did not influence pollinators. Moreover, species richness and abundance were also higher in the homogeneous landscape than in the heterogenous one. Most species were foraging on white clover. However, 18 species (39.1 %, n = 18/46) were recorded foraging on chicory and/or weeds, and ten of these wild pollinator species were never recorded on white clover. Our study highlights that diverse pollinator communities require both abundant floral resources and diverse plant communities, that their needs are not in conflict with the goal of achieving yield stability, and that the landscape type can modulate the effect of the cropping system. Moreover, the lack of pollinator preference for different white clover populations suggests that farmers can select mixtures that enhance yield stability without negatively affecting pollinator communities. Overall, these results highlight that intercropping systems comprising several plant species and plant genotypes can guarantee yield stability without compromising the pollinator community, showing that win-win situations for farmers and biodiversity are possible.

Routing algorithm for sparse unstructured P2P networks using honey bee behavior

SummaryUnstructured peer‐to‐peer (P2P) networks pose unique challenges for efficient and scalable routing. In this study, we introduce a novel routing algorithm inspired by the foraging behavior of honey bees named Honey Bee Optimization in P2P Networks (HBO_P2P) to address the inherent limitations of routing in unstructured P2P networks, focusing on improving packet delivery, minimizing hop count, reducing message overhead, and optimizing overall throughput. To evaluate the performance of our proposed algorithm, we conducted comprehensive experiments comparing it with existing algorithms commonly used in P2P networks, namely, particle swarm optimization (PSO), genetic algorithm (GA), and ant colony optimization (ACO). After the simulation, we got the results as follows: Our algorithm outperforms ACO, GA, and PSO by exhibiting the highest number of data hops indicating potential efficiency in route optimization. Routing overhead is also minimal as compared to ACO, GA, and PSO. The average data packet delay is also low in our algorithm as compared to ACO, GA, and PSO. HBO_P2P achieves the highest throughput, nearly reaching 100 Mbps. While ACO and GA exhibit similar throughput of around 80 Mbps, and PSO has the lowest throughput, approximately 60 Mbps.

Elevated atmospheric CO2 alters the multi-element stoichiometry of pollen-bearing oak flowers, with possible negative effects on bees

Increasing atmospheric CO2 levels change the elemental composition in plants, altering their nutritional quality and affecting consumers and ecosystems. Ecological stoichiometry provides a framework for investigating how CO2-driven nutrient dilution in pollen affects bees by linking changes in pollen chemical element proportions to the nutritional needs of bees. We investigated the consequences of five years of Free Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) in a mature oak-dominated temperate forest on the elemental composition of English oak (Quercus robur) pollen. We measured the concentrations and proportions of 12 elements (C, N, P, S, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, Fe, and Mn) in Q. robur pollen-bearing flowers collected from the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) FACE facility. An elevated CO2 (eCO2) level of 150 ppm above ambient significantly reduced the S, K, and Fe levels and altered the multi-element ratio, with different elements behaving differently. This shift in pollen multi-element composition may have subsequent cascading effects on higher trophic levels. To assess the impact on bees, we calculated the stoichiometric mismatch (a measure of the discrepancy between consumer needs and food quality) for two bee species, Osmia bicornis (red mason bee) and Apis mellifera (honey bee), that consume oak pollen in nature. We observed stoichiometric mismatches for P and S, in pollen under eCO2, which could negatively affect bees. We highlight the need for a comprehensive understanding of the changes in pollen multi-element stoichiometry under eCO2, which leads to nutrient limitations under climate change with consequences for bees.

Synergistic effects between microplastics and glyphosate on honey bee larvae

Microplastic (MPs) pollution has emerged as a global ecological concern, however, the impact of MPs exposure, particularly in conjunction with other pollutants such as glyphosate (GLY) on honey bee remains unknown. This study investigated the effects of exposure to different concentrations of MPs and their combination with GLY on honey bee larvae development, or during the larvae period, regulation of major detoxification, antioxidant and immune genes, and oxidative stress biomarkers. Results revealed that combined exposure to MPs and GLY decreased larvae survivorship and weight, while exposure to MPs alone showed no significant differences. Both MPs and GLY alone downregulated the defensin-1 gene, but only combined exposure with GLY downregulated the hymenoptaecin gene and increased catalase enzyme activity. The data suggest a synergistic effect of MPs and GLY, leading to immunosuppression and reduced larvae survival and weight. These findings highlight potential risks of two prevalent environmental pollutants on honey bee health.

Effect of Flowering Period on Drone Reproductive Parameters (Apis mellifera L.).

Insufficient protein intake during the larval phase of drones affects the development of reproductive organs and spermatogenesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the flowering-scarcity and flowering-onset periods on the eversion of the copulatory apparatus, ejaculation, and sperm quality of drones (Apis mellifera L.). To stimulate the laying of drone eggs during the flowering-scarcity period, 1 L of sugar syrup was supplied weekly to the hives, along with a protein supplement made of 20% pollen and 80% brewer's yeast. During the periods of flowering scarcity and the onset of flowering, 800 drones were collected (200 per month). At the onset of flowering, 270 drones showed eversion of the copulatory apparatus, of which 162 ejaculated, compared to the flowering-scarcity period, where 112 drones showed eversion of the copulatory apparatus and 39 drones ejaculated. During the period of flowering onset, sperm parameters such as volume, concentration, motility, viability, acrosome integrity, and mitochondrial activity were higher compared to the period of flowering scarcity. In conclusion, we observed a greater number of drones with eversion of the copulatory apparatus and ejaculation, as well as better sperm quality with the drones bred during the period of flowering onset. These differences indicate that the flowering-scarcity period significantly impacts the reproductive parameters of drones.

Chalkbrood Disease Caused by Ascosphaera apis in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)-Morphological and Histological Changes in Infected Larvae.

Chalkbrood is a mycological brood disease of the Western honey bee (Apis mellifera), caused by the fungus Ascosphaera apis. The aim of this study was the investigation of the pathology of artificially reared Apis mellifera larvae, experimentally infected with A. apis spores (1.0 × 103 spores/larva). Non-infected larvae served as control. Five living larvae and every dead larva were collected daily (day 1-7 p.i.). All larvae were macroscopically measured, photographed, formalin-fixed, and histologically processed (hematoxylin-eosin stain, Grocott silvering). Histological sections were digitized, and the size of the larvae was measured (mouth-after length, area) and statistically analyzed. Twenty-six larvae from the collected larvae (n = 64; 23 dead, 3 alive) showed histological signs of infection from 3 d p.i. onwards. The dead larvae showed macroscopically white/brown deposits, indistinct segmentation, and a lack of body elongation. Infected larvae were significantly smaller than the controls on days 3 p.i. (p < 0.05), 4 p.i. (p < 0.001), and 6 p.i. (p < 0.05). The early time of death, the low number of transitional stages, and the strong penetration of the larval carcass with fungal mycelium indicate a rapid and fulminant infection process, which is probably relevant for spreading the disease within the colony.

Detection of Entomological Origin of Honey Sold in Indonesia Based on &lt;i&gt;16S rRNA&lt;/i&gt; Gene Analysis

Honey is known for its various benefits for health, cosmetic ingredients, and other industrial materials. Especially, during the Covid-19 pandemic, many people consume honey to maintain body endurance. In Indonesia, the honey produced is dominated by Apis mellifera honey. With a cheaper price and a larger quantity, A. mellifera honey is often offered as forest honey or stingless bee honey to get more profit. Therefore, this study aims to determine the entomological origin of honey claimed as forest honey and stingless bee honey sold in the Indonesian market using the detection of 16S rRNA gene amplicon. This study tested 30 samples of forest honey and 30 samples of stingless bee honey. DNA that has been isolated from honey samples was amplified by PCR using 16S rRNA primers. The results from the sequence analysis showed that nine of honey samples were identified as honey fraud. Two samples were confirmed as falsification of the origin of honey-producing bees and four honey samples were confirmed as honey mislabelling. From this study it can be concluded that, it is possible to determine the entomological origin of honey molecularly by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. Therefore, this method can be used to identify honey fraud that may occur on the market.

The Status of Beekeeping in Simada District, Amhara, Ethiopia, with Its Challenges and Opportunities

The study was designed to assess the existing beekeeping practices, constraints, and potential of honeybee production in Simada district. The study was carried out in four proportionally selected kebeles of highland, midland, and lowland agro-ecology. Accordingly, a total sample size of 146 beekeepers, depending on their potential, was interviewed using a structured and semi-structured questionnaire. A semi-structured questionnaire, field observation, and focal group discussion were employed to collect primary data. Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The majority of beekeepers in the district are mail-headed, and the majority can read and write. Beekeepers practiced three hive types but mostly used traditional hives. The majority of honeybee colonies are found in midland agro-ecology, but they are not significantly different (P&amp;lt;0.05). About 57.5% of beekeepers obtain their colony through buying, and their colony increases through reproductive swarming. Beekeepers construct both traditional and top-bar hives from the surrounding available material. Frame hives were obtained from GOs on a credit basis. Beekeepers indicated that the majority of honey was harvested in October and November. The second minor harvesting period was from May to June, which depends on the nature of the yearly rainfall conditions. As the respondent&amp;apos;s described, they stored honey below one year in a plastic jar, clay jar, and plastic sack when plenty of products were obtained and for medicinal value, unless they used honey during harvesting as a source of income. Predators and pests are major constraints on honey bee production, followed by pesticides and herbicides in the study area. Other identified beekeeping constraints were shown in relative order of importance: drought, death of colony, lack of water, migration, and disease are some of the problems that hinder productivity. Honeybees required feed supplementation during the dry season; about 28% of beekeepers fed their colonies with higher supplements made from February to April. The commonly used supplements were peas and bean flour (Shiro), barley flour (Besso), sugar, honey, and others, including Niger.