Comb Wax Research Articles

Genetic Diversity and Demographic History of Wax Moths, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus, 1758 and Achroia grisella Fabricius, 1794 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

Wax moths, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus, 1758 and Achroia grisella Fabricius, 1794 are the key pests of honeybee colonies worldwide. They cause wax comb damages which lead to colony perishing and absconding. To control these pests, their genetic background and evolution should be considered. In this study, genetic diversity and demographic history of 2 species of wax moth were explored based on mitochondrial genes (COI). Wax moths were collected from northeatern part of Thailand for morphological and DNA analyses. G. mellonella and A. grisella sequences from GenBank were included for genetic diversity and demographic history analyses (total of 80 and 26 sequences, respectively). Overall genetic diversity for A. grisella samples from Northeastern Thailand was relatively low (h = 0.467 ± 0.132 and π = 0.00150 ± 0.00042). Likewise, low genetic diversity was also observed in G. mellonella samples (h = 0.280 ± 0.101 and π = 0.00046 ± 0.00017). Among samples from different global regions, the haplotype and nucleotide diversity of A. grisella were 0.834 ± 0.050 and 0.00996 ± 0.00124, respectively. The haplotype and nucleotide diversity of G. mellonella were 0.709 ± 0.034 and 0.01084 ± 0.00279, respectively. The ML tree revealed that these 2 species were separated into 2 major clades (G. mellonella clade and A. grisella clade). All sequences corresponding to G. mellonella formed to a single monophyletic clade, while all the sequences corresponding to A. grisella formed another single monophyletic clade. Clade G. mellonella was divided into 4 subclades designated as Clade Gm1, Gm2, Gm3 and Gm4, whereas A. grisella clade was divided into 3 subclades designated as Clade Ag1, Ag2 and Ag3. The sum of squares deviation (SSD) and Harpending’s raggedness index (rg) and the results of Tajima’s D and Fu’s Fs tests indicated population expansion was not found in either species. HIGHLIGHTS This study highlighted the genetic diversity of wax moths Galleria mellonella Linnaeus, 1758 and Achroia grisella Fabricius, 1794 in Thailand and other parts of the world. Population expansion was not observed in either species. The results will be useful to predict directions of population distribution of wax moths under certain factors. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Farnesol, a component of plant-derived honeybee-collected resins, shows JH-like effects in Apis mellifera workers

Farnesol, a sesquiterpene found in all eukaryotes, precursor of juvenile hormone (JH) in insects, is involved in signalling, communication, and antimicrobial defence. Farnesol is a compound of floral volatiles, suggesting its importance in pollination and foraging behaviour. Farnesol is found in the resin of Baccharis dracunculifolia, from which honeybees elaborate the most worldwide marketable propolis. Bees use propolis to seal cracks in the walls, reinforce the wax combs, and as protection against bacteria and fungi. The introduction within a honeybee hive of a compound with potential hormonal activity can be a challenge to the colony survival, mainly because the transition from within-hive to outside activities of workers is controlled by JH. Here, we tested the hypothesis that exogenous farnesol alters the pacing of developing workers. The first assays showed that low doses of the JH precursor (0.1 and 0.01 µg) accelerate pharate-adult development, with high doses being toxic. The second assay was conducted in adult workers and demonstrated bees that received 0.2 µg farnesol showed more agitated behaviour than the control bees. If farnesol was used by corpora allata (CA) cells as a precursor of JH and this hormone was responsible for the observed behavioural alterations, these glands were expected to be larger after the treatment. Our results on CA measurements after 72 h of treatment showed bees that received farnesol had glands doubled in size compared to the control bees (p < 0.05). Additionally, we expected the expression of JH synthesis, JH degradation, and JH-response genes would be upregulated in the treated bees. Our results showed that indeed, the mean transcript levels of these genes were higher in the treated bees (significant for methyl farnesoate epoxidase and juvenile hormone esterase, p < 0.05). These results suggest farnesol is used in honeybees as a precursor of JH, leading to increasing JH titres, and thus modulating the pacing of workers development. This finding has behavioural and ecological implications, since alterations in the dynamics of the physiological changes associated to aging in young honeybees may significantly impact colony balance in nature.

Determination of bisphenols in beeswax based on sugaring out–assisted liquid–liquid extraction: Method development and application in survey, recycling and degradation studies

The methodology of sugaring out–assisted liquid–liquid extraction (SULLE) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection was devised for quantifying bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol B (BPB) in beeswax. The effectiveness of SULLE was methodically explored and proved superior to the salting out–assisted liquid–liquid extraction approach for beeswax sample preparation. The analytical performance underwent comprehensive validation, revealing detection limits of 10 μg/kg for BPA and 20 μg/kg for BPB. The method developed was employed to analyse commercial beeswax (n = 15), beeswax foundation (n = 15) and wild-build comb wax (n = 26) samples. The analysis revealed BPA presence in four commercial beeswax samples and three beeswax foundation samples, with the highest detected residue content being 88 ± 7 μg/kg. For BPB, two beeswax foundation samples were positive, with concentrations below the limits of quantification and 85 ± 4 μg/kg, respectively. No bisphenols were detected in wild-build comb wax. Furthermore, the bisphenol removal efficacy of two recycling methods—boiling in water and methanol extraction—was assessed. The findings indicated that after four recycling cycles using water boiling, 9.6% of BPA and 29.2% of BPB remained in the beeswax. Whereas methanol extraction resulted in approximately 7% residual after one recycling process. A long-term study over 210 days revealed the slow degradation of bisphenols in comb beeswax. This degradation fitted well with a first-order model, indicating half-lives (DT50) of 139 days for BPA and 151 days for BPB, respectively. This research provides the first report on bisphenol contamination in beeswax. The low removal rate during the recycling process and the gradual degradation in beeswax underscore the significance of bisphenol contamination and migration in bee hives along with their potential risk to pollinators warranting concern. Furthermore, the developed SULLE method shows promise in preparing beeswax samples to analyse other analytes.

Treatment of waxborne honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) viruses using time, temperature, and electron-beam irradiation.

Viruses are one of many serious threats to honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) health. There are many transmission routes for honey bee viruses, and there is potential for wax comb to act as a reservoir for transmission of viruses. Some work has been done on treating viruses on wax, focusing on irradiation as a potential treatment. However, irradiation is not universally available or economically viable for beekeepers in many regions. With increased colony deaths over winter beekeepers potentially risk further loss from reusing contaminated equipment from dead colonies. Here we explored the use of storage time and temperature on the reduction of waxborne virus levels from winter loss colony wax over 30 days and at -20, 5, and 20 °C. Furthermore, because irradiation has previously worked against waxborne viruses, we performed a dosage experiment with electron-beam irradiation. Winter loss wax was again used, and exposed to 10, 25, 35, and 45 kGy irradiation, including a nonirradiated transport control. Storage time decreased abundance of black queen cell virus and deformed wing virus at times equal or greater than 30 days but temperatures had no significant effect on virus levels. All irradiation doses decreased virus abundance and prevalence, yet only 35 and 45 kGy did so at a greater rate than the effect of transport alone.

Pesticide contamination of beeswax from managed honey bee colonies in New York State.

The New York State (NYS) beekeeping industry generated >$11M worth of honey in 2020 and >$300M in pollination services to agriculture annually. Bees are frequently exposed to pesticides through foraging and husbandry practices. Lipophilic pesticides can remain in beeswax for extended periods. We analyzed for pesticides in wax comb samples collected from NYS apiaries at the end of the growing season, comparing residue numbers and concentrations among beekeepers of different operation scales: commercial beekeepers (>300 colonies), sideliners (50-299 colonies), and hobbyists (<50 colonies). We analyzed samples collected from 72 managed honey bee colonies for 92 insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pesticides were detected in all samples and included 34 fungicides, 33 insecticides, and 22 herbicides. Each wax sample contained 7-35 different residues (x¯ = 17.8 residues). Wax from colonies managed by commercial beekeepers contained the most residues (x¯ = 21.9 residues), hobbyists were second (x¯ = 16.3 residues), and sideliners had the fewest (x¯ = 11.7 residues). Nearly all wax samples (98.6%) contained the pesticide synergist piperonyl butoxide, most samples (86%) contained common varroacides used to control honey bee parasites, including coumaphos and amitraz breakdown products, and 93.1% contained the fungicide difenoconazole. We detected 34 fungicides, 7 of which were found in 50% or more of the samples. We detected 22 herbicides. We found pesticide contamination of beeswax to be common, with commercial beekeepers experiencing the greatest contamination.

Heavy Metal Concentrations of Beeswax (Apis mellifera L.) at Different Ages

Beeswax is a naturally occurring product that worker bees produce. Beeswax is used in a variety of industries and pharmaceuticals. Humans utilize it extensively in cosmetics, medicinal formulations, and food manufacturing. Beeswax is an essential component of advanced contemporary beekeeping. Beekeepers, in particular, utilize significant amounts of beeswax to make beeswax comb foundation. In its natural condition, beeswax is white, but it becomes yellow then dark in color when it comes into touch with honey and pollen. The ongoing use of wax comb in bee activities (such as brood rearing, storage honey and bee bread), combined with environmental factors such as heavy metal and pesticide residues, resulted in a black color. Because of heavy metals can accumulate in wax for decades, beeswax can be a helpful tool for gathering data on hazardous contaminants in the environment. Because of their lipid-based chemical composition, beeswax combs act as a sink for numerous ambient pollutants as well as poisons when in the hive. The current study aims to measure nine heavy metals and important elements, including iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and cobalt (Co) in beeswax collected in the Behaira governorate region of Egypt between 2018 and 2022. Sample collection was conducted each year in triplicate. The samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The quantity of metals in beeswax at different ages differed significantly. Depending on the wax age, Fe has the highest concentration in the range of 2.068 to 5.041 ppm, while Cd has the lowest ratio at 0.024 to 0.054 ppm from the first to fifth years old of comb age. The findings showed that as beeswax combs aged, the concentration of heavy metals rose. According to the study, it should gradually recycle beeswax combs each year and also adding new foundations.

Insecticidal Activity of Some Plant Extract Against Greater Wax Moth Larvae (Galleria mellonella L.)

Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a significant international pest and the most devastating pest throughout the world of beeswax. Natural pesticides must be replaced with synthetic materials since they are more ecologically friendly. This study aims to determine alternative methods of controlling the larger wax moth by assessing the efficacy of several plant-based biocides for this purpose various ethanolic plant extracts such as rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum), Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp) and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) where used with four extraction rates (5,10,15 and 20) against the late instar larvae of Galleria mellonella in vitro after 24,48 and 72 hr. Obtained results revealed that the pupal mortality increased when the concentration increased and the highest accumulative mortality percentage of wax moth larvae during the experiment, it was demonstrated that all studied plants were efficient at suppressing Galleria mellonella larvae. The result shows that three days after application treatment of rosemary 20% gave the maximum total mortality percentage (%100) followed by (%96.58, %92.66 and %64.86) for Eucalyptus, Cinnamon and clove after 24,48 and 72 hr. respectively. It may be suggested that spraying natural products is a good option on new wax combs to protect them against infestation by wax moth larvae

The prevalence of Galleria mellonella and Achoria grisella in Apis mellifera Colonies in the Ludhiana District

Wax moths are a worldwide pest of honeybee colonies. They belong to the Galleriinae subfamily of the Pyralidae family in the order Lepidoptera. The Greater wax moth (Achroia grisella) and the Lesser wax moth (Achroia grisella) are the two species of wax moths (Galleria mellonella). The Greater Wax Moth is the most disastrous in apiaries causing annual financial losses. Furthermore, larval feeding deteriorates wax combs and destroys hive frames and wooden elements. Wax moths feed on hive products such as wax, cast-off honey bee pupal skin, larval bee remnants, pollen, encapsulated honey bee excrement found on brood cell walls, honey bee cocoon silk and honey bee cocoon silk. They produce massive amounts of the web by entering the comb's midrib. Almost all Asian honeybee, hives are infested with wax moths. In 2021-22, GWM and LWM activities were carried out in storage at Big Bee Farm, Atwal Bee Farm and Tiwana Bee Farm. Galleria mellonella and Achroia grisella seasonally began in March, peaked in July and August and then began to decline. The highest G. mellonella and A. grisella population densities were seen during the months with mean temperatures of 32–34 degrees Celsius and relative humidity of 70–80% (50–55 RH per cent). During the winter, the study found the fewest wax moth larvae, pupae and adults in all bee storage farms.

Honey bees reared in isolation adhere to normal age-related division of labor when reintroduced into a colony

Early social experiences during developmental life stages have been demonstrated to influence adult behavior in vertebrates and invertebrates. However, cooperative behaviors observed in social insects are often regarded as simple instinctual responses to positive and negative feedback. Here we test if rearing environment influences the resulting adult bee’s somewhat predictable progression through a series of age-related tasks (temporal polyethism). Honey bee larvae were reared either in their parental colony, or artificially in the laboratory. Newly emerged adults were individually identified and introduced into a single observation hive where their behavior was observed three times a day for 28 days. In vitro-reared bees were observed engaging in every behavior in which colony-reared bees engaged including: attending the queen, manipulating wax comb, defending the hive entrance, and foraging. Moreover, in vitro-reared bees appeared to be responding appropriately to colony-level cues that coordinate task allocation within age-related polyethism. However, in vitro-reared bees did suffer detectably reduced lifespans. Further research, potentially incorporating methods such as establishing colonies composed exclusively of in vitro-reared bees, would offer additional insight into the plasticity of honey bee behaviors.

When wax wanes: competitors for beeswax stabilize rather than jeopardize the honeyguide-human mutualism.

Many mutualisms are exploited by third-party species, which benefit without providing anything in return. Exploitation can either destabilize or promote mutualisms, via mechanisms that are highly dependent on the ecological context. Here we study a remarkable bird-human mutualism, in which wax-eating greater honeyguides (Indicator indicator) guide humans (Homo sapiens) to wild bees' nests, in an exchange of knowledge about the location of nests for access to the wax combs inside. We test whether the depletion of wax by mammalian and avian exploiter species either threatens or stabilizes the mutualism. Using camera traps, we monitored feeding visits to wax comb made available following honey harvests. We found that greater honeyguides face competition for wax from conspecifics and nine exploiter species, five of which were not previously known to consume wax. Our results support the hypothesis that heterospecific exploiters stabilize the mutualism, because wax depletion by these competitors probably limits feeding opportunities for conspecific exploiters, favouring the early-arriving individual that guided humans to the bees' nest. These findings highlight the importance of the ecological context of species interactions and provide further evidence for how mutualisms can persist because of, and not in spite of, exploitation by third-party species.

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT MICROORGANISMS USED IN BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PESTS AND THEIR RELATION TO BEES: A REVIEW

The aim of the review is to describe a control of pests by microorganisms and its possible effect on bees, other pollinators and beekeeping. Biological control seems to be a natural way to solve the problem with pests in agriculture as an alternative to the use of pesticides. However, the proposed solution must be closely associated with the safety to pollinators, which are an important part of plant production as well as forest ecosystems. Entomopathogenic bacteria (mainly bacilli) and entomopathogenic fungi (e.g., Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae) are often used to suppress the pests in agriculture. The application of entomopathogenic microsporidia is controversial because their frequent representatives are pollinators' pests. Moreover, biocontrol can be applied in the form of pollinator strips near the fields with monocultures resulting in plant and pollinator protection. In some countries, bees are also used as biovectors of control agents for the plant protection in the fields. On the other hand, specific pests pose a threat to bees themselves in the hives. Varoosis is a problem in beekeeping all over the world. The suppression of bee pests using microorganisms was tested. An activity of Beauveria bassiana against Varroa destructor shows promising results. Surprisingly, Beauveria bassiana can be isolated from cadavers of Galleria mellonella larvae, another bee pest, which destroy wax combs. Therefore, understanding of various links between the organisms could be helpful for sustainable beekeeping. Overall, humans are more conscious that everything is connected to each other. Protecting agents designed on natural basis often possess excellent results in practice. Therefore, testing them is more than desirable.

Effect of two nanoparticles and bacteria spores on some biological aspects of waxworm Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera;Pyralidae)

The aim of this study is to control the major Waxworm Galleria mellonella, pests that, cause damage to honeybee colonies due to feeding their larvae on wax combs using safe alternatives such as nanomaterials and biological control using spores of Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria and the use of concentrations, , and cells/ml of D.W on the egg stage, and the efficiency of zinc oxide nanoparticles and titanium dioxide in controlling the insect was tested using concentrations (5000,1000,500,100) ppm ,The practical study was conducted in the insect lab /Department of Biology/College of Education for Pure Sciences at Mosul University. The nanomaterials and bacterial spores used showed a significant effect in the incubation period, as the longest period was 17.667 days in zinc oxide at a concentration of 100 ppm, and the percentage of hatching was as low as 26,000% in bacterial spores at a concentration cells/ml and duration The larval and pupal stages and the mortality rate in them, where the longest period in the larval stage was 39.333 days in TiO2treatment at concentration 5000ppm, and the highest percentage of mortality was 82.1% in bacterial spores at concentration cells/ml in addition to the number of emerging insects and sexual ratio, as significant differences were shown between the treatments.&#x0D;

Modeling the Potential Global Distribution of Honeybee Pest, Galleria mellonella under Changing Climate.

Simple SummaryThe greater wax moth (GWM) is a common pest of bee colonies throughout the world. This study highlighted the global habitat suitability of GWM using the statistical power of Maxent to model its current and future distribution under climate-change scenarios in 2050 and 2070. Our study shed light on the major environmental factors that manage the habitat suitability of GWM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first modeling study of wax moths. In brief, this pest can cause severe indirect damage to the global honey market totalling millions of dollars; therefore, developing prompt monitoring or control strategies is advised. Beekeeping is essential for the global food supply, yet honeybee health and hive numbers are increasingly threatened by habitat alteration, climate change, agrochemical overuse, pathogens, diseases, and insect pests. However, pests and diseases that have unknown spatial distribution and influences are blamed for diminishing honeybee colonies over the world. The greater wax moth (GWM), Galleria mellonella, is a pervasive pest of the honeybee, Apis mellifera. It has an international distribution that causes severe loss to the beekeeping industry. The GWM larvae burrow into the edge of unsealed cells that have pollen, bee brood, and honey through to the midrib of the wax comb. Burrowing larvae leave behind masses of webs that cause honey to leak out and entangle emerging bees, resulting in death by starvation, a phenomenon called galleriasis. In this study, the maximum entropy algorithm implemented in (Maxent) model was used to predict the global spatial distribution of GWM throughout the world. Two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and 8.5 of three global climate models (GCMs), were used to forecast the global distribution of GWM in 2050 and 2070. The Maxent models for GWM provided a high value of the Area Under Curve equal to 0.8 ± 0.001, which was a satisfactory result. Furthermore, True Skilled Statistics assured the perfection of the resultant models with a value equal to 0.7. These values indicated a significant correlation between the models and the ecology of the pest species. The models also showed a very high habitat suitability for the GWM in hot-spot honey exporting and importing countries. Furthermore, we extrapolated the economic impact of such pests in both feral and wild honeybee populations and consequently the global market of the honeybee industry.

Structure of Fejes T\xf3th cells in natural honey bee combs

We present an analysis of the structure of Fejes Tóth cells in the natural combs of the Chinese bee, Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae), and the Italian bee, Apis mellifera ligustica (Hymenoptera: Apidae). The proportion of Fejes Tóth cells in the natural combs built by bee colonies was determined. Molds of Fejes Tóth cells and three-rhombus cells were used to measure various structural parameters, such as the diameter and depth of Fejes Tóth cells and three-rhombus cells. Both Chinese bees and Italian bees built an average of no more than 18% Fejes Tóth cells on natural combs. The dihedral angle of the two hexagonal planes at the bottom of the Fejes Tóth cells was significantly less than 120°. No significant differences in the diameter and depth of Fejes Tóth cells and three-rhombus cells were observed. The results of this study clarified the structural characteristics of Fejes Tóth cells in natural combs. These data will aid the manufacture of Fejes Tóth wax comb foundations specifically and the growth of the beekeeping industry more generally.

A solitary wild bee Megachile oblonga nesting in honey bee wax combs

Recently, native bee fauna has been observed utilising anthropogenic materials as nesting substrates. Here we report the novel observation of a native solitary cavity-nesting bee, Megachile (Hackeriapis) oblonga (Smith, 1879) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae: Megachilinae) nesting in man-made, but honey bee drawn waxed frames. This represents a unique indirect interaction between the introduced Apis mellifera and native wild bees and adds to growing evidence of how human activities are altering the behaviour of wild bees, with unknown consequences. Our observations here add to knowledge about the flexibility in nesting habits of wild bees and the potential for bees to adopt novel materials to nest in. This may represent adaptive or maladaptive behaviour; it remains to be determined whether humans are presenting wild bees with an increasing number of “ecological traps” as anthropogenic activities limit the availability of natural nesting substrates in the environment.

Seasonal Incidence of Galleria mellonella in Stored Wax Combs and its Correlation with Weather Parameters

The investigation was carried out at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar for two years i.e. 2016 and 2017 during June to October. During June, population of larvae of larvae started increasing till September in both years.. However, during Galleria mellonella October, the number decreased. This pattern of seasonal incidence was same when eight, nine and ten combs were stored in a hive body (chamber). The number of larvae recorded per comb was highest when ten combs were stored in a hive body followed by 9, 8 and 7 combs. During both the years, pupal and adult population in stored combs also increased with from June to September while in October, the cumulative number of pupae and adults decreased. Correlation studies between number of wax moth population (larvae, pupae and adults) in stored combs related to different frame strength with the different weather parameters showed significant positive correlation with maximum RH and maximum temperature, whereas no significant correlation existed with min. temperature, min. RH and number of bright sunshine hours.

Cell orientation characteristics of the natural combs of honey bee colonies.

The cell orientation characteristics of the natural combs of honey bees have received much research attention. Although natural combs have been shown to be composed of cells with three orientations—vertical, intermediate (oblique), and horizontal—the proportion of comb cells in these three orientations varies. Knowledge of the comb-building preferences of honey bees is essential for the installation of wax comb foundations, and clarification of the cell orientation characteristics of natural honey bee combs is important for beekeeping. The purpose of this study was to determine the cell orientation characteristics of natural combs of Eastern honey bees (Apis cerana cerana) and Western honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica). Newly built combs were used to measure the orientation of hexagonal cells and calculate the proportion of cells in different orientations relative to the total number of cells. The number of eggs laid by queens in the cells of different orientations was also determined. The orientation of cells in the natural combs of Eastern and Western honey bees was determined based on the value of the minimum included angle between the pair of parallel cell walls and a vertical line connecting the top and bottom bars of the movable frame in the geometric plane of the comb: 0°≤θ≤10°, 10°<θ≤20°, and 20°<θ≤30° for vertical, intermediate, and horizontal orientations, respectively. Natural combs were composed of cells with at least one orientation (vertical or horizontal), two orientations (vertical + intermediate (oblique) or vertical + horizontal), or three orientations (vertical + intermediate + horizontal), and the proportions of combs with the three aforementioned configurations differed. Both Eastern honey bees and Western honey bees preferred building combs with cells in a vertical orientation. Queens showed no clear preference for laying eggs in cells of specific orientations. The results of this study provide new insight that could aid the production and cutting of wax comb foundations of Eastern and Western honey bees. Our study highlights the importance of installing wax comb foundations compatible with the comb-building preferences of bees.

Awer Honey-Hunting Culture With Greater Honeyguides in Coastal Kenya

The remarkable mutualism between humans and greater honeyguides (Indicator indicator) is known still to thrive in only a few places in Africa. Here, we report on the honey-hunting culture of the marginalised Awer people in Kenya, historically a hunter-gatherer culture who today practise a mixed economy including significant amounts of foraging for wild foods. As part of a larger effort to document cross-cultural honey-hunting traditions in Africa, we interviewed six Awer honey-hunters to document their cultural practices. The interviewees reported that they depend on wild honey as a source of income, and that they readily seek the cooperation of honeyguides. Honey-hunting skills and the calls/whistles used to communicate with honeyguides are learnt from their fathers and other elders in village. The best time to honey-hunt is in the months following the big rains (August–December), when interviewees go out honey-hunting once a week on average. Honeyguides are not actively rewarded with wax, as it is believed that once a bird is fed it will not cooperate again for some time, and therefore after the honey harvest is complete, all remaining wax comb is buried. Honey-hunting practices are declining in this region, which interviewees attributed to drought and a lack of interest by the youth. These findings expand our understanding of how human-honeyguide mutualism persists across a range of human cultural variation.

Biological indicators of bee families against the background of stimulating additives

Modeling of hive buildings with the architectonics of cells close to the natural sample against the background of stimulating additives can become an effective biological and technological lever not only in increasing the productivity of bee families, but also in rearing complete offspring in bee generations. This is especially relevant in association to the reproduction of the spring generation of honey bees. A characteristic feature of this period is that bee colonies should show high nesting activity and increase their strength. At the same time, the amino acids of honey bees play an important role in the detoxification of poisons, which is especially characteristic of histidine. The importance of tyrosine in the metabolism of honey bees as a class of insects is difficult to overestimate, because its derivatives play the important role not only in the formation of the exoskeleton of insects, but also in the creation of body color, they are also part of protective secretions and probably serve as chemical mediators of the nervous system. It has been proved that the spring-summer development of bee families was most active after wintering against the background of stimulating additives with inverted sugar syrup with the addition of cobalt chloride or drug Apinik, or in combination with 10 % bee bread and the construction of new-generation wax honeycombs, which compared with the control group, ensured the achievement of the maximum parameters of the growth indices of strength and construction activity for the construction of honeycombs – in 3,0, 4,26, 4,52 and in 0,86, 1,0 and 1,0 (in the control group – 2,61 and 0,57) and increased the live weight of bee individuals of the summer generation by 4,18, 4,6 and 4,7 %. It has been found that minerals, essential amino acids of the drug Apinik, associated with str. Fasium microorganisms, and 10 % bee bread as part of stimulating additives top dressing against the background of the renewal of new-generation wax combs before the main honey collection, increase the volume of hemolymph in inactive worker bees by 6,76–7,63 %, the degree of development of the fat body by 10,0 %, and in nectar-collecting bees by 6,75–8,16 % and 5,56–7,88 %, respectively. At the same time, the increase in the level of the amino acids histidine and tyrosine was recorded in inactive worker bees by 0,76–1,56 % and by 16,56–17,72 %, in nectar-collecting bees by 2,53–3,19 % and 28,68–30,08 %, respectively. This indicates the receipt of the complete generation of working bees of the summer generation, which will actively work on the main honey collection, providing economically useful traits of bee families.

Preliminary trials on effects of lithium salts on Varroa destructor, honey and wax matrices

In a cage experiment, lithium chloride (LiCl) and lithium citrate hydrate (Li-cit) were tested for varroacidal efficacy and impact on bees. Treatment with Li-cit (4, 7.5, 10, and 25 mM) resulted in 100% varroacidal efficacy and 100% bee survival. Due to better results in the cage experiment, Li-cit was further tested in field experiments on full-sized free-flying colonies treated three times in 6-day intervals. All the concentrations of Li-cit in the field experiment (5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mM) expressed high varroacidal efficacy: 93.2–95.5%, significantly (p < 0.01) greater than in the negative and positive (amitraz-treated) controls. Lithium residues in honey from brood chambers were much higher nine months after the last treatment (169.3–1756.0 μg/kg) than seven days post-treatment (19.2–27.8 μg/kg). In honey from honey chambers (eligible for human consumption), the average lithium residues were 26.9 μg/kg and 33.7 μg/kg seven days after the last treatment. In wax combs taken from the brood chamber nine months post-treatment, lithium residues ranged from 410 μg/kg to 2314 µg/kg, without significant differences from the negative control. Lithium residues in wax matrices seven days after the last treatment were in a narrow range of 234.3–300 µg/kg, in wax combs and cappings being significantly lower than in commercial wax foundations. For the first time, Li-cit proved to be effective against Varroa destructor under field conditions.