Hive Product Research Articles

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Properties of Ethanolic Pot-Pollen Extracts of Melipona beecheii and Determination of the Major Components by GC-MS.

Melipona beecheii pot-pollen is a natural product that has barely been studied, unlike other hive products such as honey and propolis. Its application has been reported since ancient times in traditional Mayan medicine, and it is also a functional food with high nutritional value. In the present study, samples of ethanolic pot-pollen extracts from five locations in the Yucatán Peninsula were analyzed to determine their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. All the extracts showed activity against five medically important bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Listeria monocytogenes were the most susceptible bacteria in all samples. The evaluated antioxidant activity was higher than that reported by other studies. Palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic fatty acids and their respective ethyl ethers were detected by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) in all samples in different concentrations. Based on these results, pot-pollen extract from Mama, Yucatán exhibited the best biological activities (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) between 6 and 40 mg/mL, EC50 DPPH 28 μg/mL, EC50 RP 30 μg/mL), which could be related to a higher content of unsaturated fatty acids and their ethyl esters. The present study demonstrates that M. beecheii pot-pollen has therapeutic potential in addition to its benefits as a nutritional supplement.

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.

Availability of Using Honeybees and Hive Products as Bioindicators of Ambient Pesticide Exposure in Taiwan.

Honeybees and hive products could be used as bioindicators of pesticide exposure in surrounding areas, but the associations have rarely been examined. We collected samples of bees, hive products and environmental dust from 12 apiaries during the blooming season in eastern Taiwan and assessed the relationships between pesticides in apiarian samples and the environment. Samples were analyzed for 14 pesticides using gas or liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Sick bees, dead bees, bee pollen, beeswax and environmental dust in the outer rings (>150 m) surrounding the apiaries were contaminated with high levels of pesticides (mean concentration: >270 ng/g in total). In terms of concentrations of all pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides, most apiarian sample matrices were significantly correlated with environmental dust within a range of 2.5 km (ρ > 0.6, p < 0.05), suggesting their potential as bioindicators. Of those apiarian matrices with high contamination contents, dead bees or beeswax may be a good bioindicator for all pesticides but not for herbicides, because of the insignificant correlation with environmental dust (ρ < 0.5). For all types of pesticides, we recommend sick bees and bee pollen as choices for bioindicators, because of their high contamination levels for detection and complete representativeness of the environment.

Beekeepers Support the Use of RNA Interference (RNAi) to Control Varroa destructor.

Current Varroa mite management strategies rely heavily on the use of pesticides, adversely affecting honey bee health and leaving toxic residues in hive products. To explore the likelihood of RNAi technology being utilised as an alternative control method for pests like Varroa, the opinions of beekeepers on the use of this new biotechnology were obtained using a mixed-methodology approach. In-person surveys and focus groups using the Q method were conducted to discover the willingness of beekeepers to utilise Varroa-targeting RNAi treatments in their hives, and to gain feedback to inform decisions before the implementation of this new technology. Overall, the beekeepers saw potential in RNAi being used to control Varroa in their hives and were eager to have access to an alternative to pesticide treatments. Participants raised concerns about unknown long-term effects on bees and other non-target species, and the potential of an uninformed public preventing them from accessing a new Varroa treatment. While further research and discussion is needed before RNAi treatments for Varroa become commercially available, RNAi technology presents a promising, species-specific and non-toxic solution for Varroa management.

Performance Evaluation of Local Honey Bee Races (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Apis mellifera bandansi&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) at Wondo Genet, Sidama Regional State of Southern Ethiopia

The research was undertaken in Wondo genet agricultural a study conducted at a research facility between 2015 and 2017 focused on assessing the performance of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Apis mellifera bandansi&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; honey bee races. The objective was to identify and choose the most effective honey bee races based on various parameters such as defensive behavior, hygienic practices, absconding tendencies, foraging abilities, swarming patterns, and productivity in terms of hive product area. A total of thirty bee races were evaluated during the study period (30) colonies of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Apis mellifera bandansi&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;i honeybee were established on station. Basic management practices were made reasonably uniform for tested colonies. The investigation indicated the races exhibited aggressive behavior, resulting in stings on the examiner, with a maximum count of up to 158±15.3 and a minimum of 60 stings on the manipulator. The distance covered by the races extended long, reaching up to 255±74.1 meters away from the entrance. The absconding percentage from a total of thirty colonies ranged from a maximum of 50% in 2015 to a minimum of 26% in 2017. The early and late foraging behavior of the colony was also documented early morning 5:30 am time foraging, whereas late foraging time was at 7:15pm pm e back to their nest in the evening. The remaining hive products were quantified in a 5x5 cm2 comb area cell over the course of the production season, with measurements taken at 21-day intervals to assess the brood area. The values obtained, expressed as the mean ± standard deviation, indicated the range from maximum to minimum for the adult, brood, pollen, nectar, and honey area in cm&amp;lt;sup&amp;gt;2&amp;lt;/sup&amp;gt;. 79.5±13.4 107.1±24.6, 74.41±31.3, 48.2±9.0 for year (2015), 74.5±6.5, 107.1±24.6, 48.5±16.9, 81.8±31.6 for (year, 2016) and 114.8±20.5, 96.2±17.4, 50.0±19.4 and 90.7±40.2 for (year, 2017 respectively. The Apis mellifera, typically referred to in a general sense bandansi the race demonstrates positive attributes in terms of hygienic behavior and is also efficient in maximizing honey production when subjected to appropriate management strategies. It is recommended to conduct additional research on the specification of geographical location in relation to the distribution of different races and their identification for the purpose of breed determination and enhancement. This will aid in the selection of colonies that are more suitable in terms of production efficiency, temperament, resistance to pests, parasites, and diseases, as well as foraging and absconding tendencies.

Pollen products collected from honey bee hives experiencing minor stress have altered fungal communities and reduced antimicrobial properties.

Fungi are increasingly recognised to play diverse roles within honey bee hives, acting as pathogens, mutualists, and commensals. Pollen products, essential for hive nutrition, host significant fungal communities with potential protective and nutritional benefits. In this study, we profile the fungal communities and antifungal properties of three pollen products from healthy and stressed hives: fresh pollen collected by forager bees from local plants; stored pollen packed into the comb inside the hive; and bee bread, which is stored pollen following anaerobic fermentation used for bee and larval nutrition. Using amplicon sequencing, we found significant differences in fungal community composition, with hive health and sample type accounting for 8.8% and 19.3% of variation in beta diversity, respectively. Pollen and bee bread extracts had species-specific antimicrobial activity and inhibited the fungal hive pathogens Ascosphaera apis, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus fumigatus, and the bacterial hive pathogen Paenibacillus larvae. Activity was positively correlated with phenolic and antioxidant content and was diminished in stressed hives. The plant source of pollen determined by amplicon sequencing differed in stressed hives, suggesting altered foraging behaviour. These findings illustrate the complex interplay between honey bees, fungal communities, and hive products, which should be considered in hive management and conservation.

Hive Products: Composition, Pharmacological Properties, and Therapeutic Applications.

Beekeeping provides products with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical characteristics. These products are characterized by abundance of bioactive compounds. For different reasons, honey, royal jelly, propolis, venom, and pollen are beneficial to humans and animals and could be used as therapeutics. The pharmacological action of these products is related to many of their constituents. The main bioactive components of honey include oligosaccharides, methylglyoxal, royal jelly proteins (MRJPs), and phenolics compounds. Royal jelly contains jelleins, royalisin peptides, MRJPs, and derivatives of hydroxy-decenoic acid, particularly 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), which possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, neuromodulatory, metabolic syndrome-preventing, and anti-aging properties. Propolis has a plethora of activities that are referable to compounds such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester. Peptides found in bee venom include phospholipase A2, apamin, and melittin. In addition to being vitamin-rich, bee pollen also includes unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, and phenolics compounds that express antiatherosclerotic, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the constituents of hive products are particular and different. All of these constituents have been investigated for their properties in numerous research studies. This review aims to provide a thorough screening of the bioactive chemicals found in honeybee products and their beneficial biological effects. The manuscript may provide impetus to the branch of unconventional medicine that goes by the name of apitherapy.

Use of Honey Bees and Hive Products as Bioindicators to Assess Environmental Contamination in Targeted Areas of the Campania Region (Italy).

In recent years, biomonitoring has gained more attention, particularly when assessing the environmental health of significant areas, such as those near waste-to-energy facilities. These requirements coincide with the chance to detect environmental pollutants using sensitive organisms. Bees were shown to be quite effective in evaluating the presence of certain compounds by analyzing their associated matrices, such as pollen, honey, or wax. In our study, we employed the honey bee (Apis mellifera) as an indicator to initially monitor the vicinity of the waste-to-energy plant in Acerra, which is situated in the Campania region of Italy. The primary aim was to determine whether the facility was accountable for any environmental releases of dioxins or dioxin-like compounds. Then, we assessed the presence of additional pollutants in the same area, including trace elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides, released by human activities. To obtain further information about environmental quality, a second biomonitoring station was installed near the Caivano S.T.I.R. (Waste Shredding, Sifting, and Packaging Plant). The results showed the dioxin levels did not exceed predetermined limitations at the Acerra site, thus demonstrating the efficacy of the waste-to-energy facility and the bees' ability to detect the presence of other pollutants. Additionally, this biomonitoring system exhibited sensitivity to environmental variations, thereby enabling the evaluation of xenobiotic flux between two proximate zones and across temporal scales. This pioneering study suggests the advantages of utilizing bees to detect a wide range of contaminants, thereby providing valuable insights into environmental quality and potential health risks for both ecosystems and human populations.

Ethno-medicinal uses and cultural importance of stingless bees and their hive products in several ethnic communities of Bhutan

BackgroundIndigenous and non-indigenous people in subtropical and temperate areas of Bhutan share an intricate relationship with stingless bees for diverse purposes including ethno-medicinal uses. Stingless bees hold significant importance in the realms of social, economic, cultural, and spiritual aspects. Bhutan's cultural traditions demonstrate a strong bond with the environment, exemplified by the regular use of honey from stingless bees for remedies such as treating the common cold, cough, and sore throat.MethodsEthnographic research was conducted to document the ethno-medicinal uses and cultural importance of stingless bees in Bhutan. We deployed semi-structured interviews with stingless beekeepers and honey collectors including traditional healers who perform religious rituals for curing and preventing physical and mental illness.ResultsWe documented 22 different uses of stingless bee honey in food, medicine, veterinary medicine, crafts, beliefs, and religious purposes. The relative cultural importance (RCI) of stingless bees among Bhutan's ethnic communities was assessed through our calculations. It was determined that these bees hold notably greater significance for the Lhotshampa communities compared to other ethnic groups in Bhutan. This finding demonstrates the dependence of Hindu ethnic communities on natural resources in their everyday life. All participant communities largely exploit these bees through destructive extraction practices. They often find the natural nests in nearby forests, transfer them as a log hive to their backyards, and practice traditional meliponiculture.ConclusionThe ethnic communities of Bhutan use stingless bees for various purposes and the local knowledge are persistent. However, significant efforts should be made to address the ethno-medicinal, ecological, biological, and commercial perspectives of meliponiculture in Bhutan.

The Difference in the Source of Bee Bread (Citrus, Anise) in Its Chemical Composition

Beebread is a hive product derived from the collection of pollen by bees. To produce beebread, bees enrich the gathered pollen with honey and digestive enzymes, storing the mixture within the combs. The transformation of bee pollen into beebread occurs through an anaerobic fermentation process facilitated by the bees.&#x0D; Effective beehive management is crucial to encourage the accumulation of beebread, with the intention of marketing it for human consumption. This is due to its recognition as a valuable nutritional supplement, attributed to its rich array of nutrients. The nutritional value of beebread, including protein, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and polyphenols, is contingent upon the plant source of the bee pollen, emphasizing the significance of proper hive management for optimizing its quality.&#x0D; The nutritional and functional composition of beebread lead this research, work was done to collect bee bread from two different geographical regions, namely the coastal region (Lattakia), which was the predominant citrus at the time of collection and the interior region (the countryside of Hama), which was aniseed prevalent at the time of collection.&#x0D; The results of the research showed the difference in the chemical composition of bee bread collected from the two mentioned areas.&#x0D; The protein content of bee bread samples from the interior region increased, which amounted to 20%, with a very high significance compared to bee bread from the coastal region, which amounted to 15.6%.&#x0D; The content of sinters also increased with a very high significance, which amounted to 7.92% and 2.02% in the interior and coastal regions, respectively.&#x0D; As for the ash, it was 2% and 1.3% in the interior and coastal regions, respectively.&#x0D; As for the humidity of the samples of the interior region, it was lower than that of the coastal region, which amounted to 8.68%, while 13.5% in the coastal region.&#x0D; The results also showed the difference in the content of the studied bee bread samples in fructose, where the content of the samples of the interior region amounted to 23.07%, while the content of the samples of the coastal region amounted to 18.10%, while the content of glucose sugar reached 15.74% and 14.82% in both the interior and coastal regions, respectively.&#x0D; This confirms the difference in the chemical composition of bee bread according to the plant type from which bee pollen was collected.

Botanical composition of pollen collected by Apis mellifera L. from Uludağ, northwest Türkiye

In recent years, the value of bee pollen has been recognised with the commercial value increasing. Determing the plant taxa that bees prefer as pollen sources and the floristic characteristics of the region is important for hive management and productivity. In this study, the botanical composition of bee pollen collected by Apis mellifera L. on the southern slopes of Uludağ (Bursa, Türkiye) was examined and the plant composition of the region, which is important for beekeeping, was evaluated. During the 2021 beekeeping period (between April and August), pollen loads were collected every two weeks. Colour differences of pollen loads were used to determine the botanical character of pollen samples. According to the data obtained from the analysis of pollen samples, 51 plant taxa belonging to 30 families visited by Apis mellifera L. were identified. Fabaceae (21.06%), Asteraceae (12.73%), Rosaceae (11.97%), and Brassicaceae (11.50%) were found to be the families containing the most preferred plants by honey bees. Herbaceous plants were visited by honey bees to collect pollen at the highest frequency of 77.60%, trees at 10.22%, and shrubs at 9.51% during the season. Tree forms were visited at a frequency of 5.25% in the second period of May, herbaceous forms were visited at a frequency of 20.50% in the first period of June, and shrub forms were visited at a frequency of 2.67% in the second period of June. These data demonstrate that the region has abundant resources for beekeeping, which contributes to the protection of the ecosystem and the economy.

Potentials of palynotaxa for apicultural entrepreneurships: Implication for conservation and policy

The contemporary global economic meltdown has devastating effect on the economy of most rural people in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. The frantic search for alternative source of national revenue aside from oil and gas has become imperative for economic emancipation of Nigerians. Knowledge of plants foraged by bees for pollen and nectar becomes a panacea to this challenge. This study analysed the pollen spectrum of four honey samples collected from Southern Nigeria in order to determine the richness of the honey plants in the area, and to highlight the potential of these species in apicultural entrepreneurship in Nigeria for green growth economy, using Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index after a standard acetolysis method. A total number of 39 palynotaxa belonging to 21 plant families and distributed in 39 genera were identified. Fabaceae had the highest plant species (11 species), followed by Euphorbiaceae (5 species). The study revealed that Elaeis guineensis Jacq, Anacardium occidentale L. Diospyros mespiliformis Hochist ex ADC, Alchornea cordifolia (Muell)Arg, Daniella oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch &amp; Dalz, Irvingia wombolu Okafor ex Baill, Treculia africana Decne, Nauclea latifolia Smith and Crossopteryx febrifuga Afzil ex Benth, were the dominant honey plants. The palynotaxa spectrum did not vary greatly in the four samples; however, Shannon diversity index was low to moderate (H= 2.7 -3.1). This baseline information has provided opportunity and amazing potentials for apicultural enterprise in these areas. However, most of these honey plants are rare, threatened and endangered. This calls for urgent conservation strategies by all players. Policy programmes could increase production and productivity of hive products through capacity- building for local populace.

Assessing monofloral bee pollens from Türkiye: Palynological verification, phenolic profile, and antioxidant activity.

Honey bee pollen (HBP) is a hive product produced by worker bees from floral pollen grains agglutination. It is characterized by its excellent nutritional and bioactive composition, making it a superior source of human nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the monofloral bee pollen samples, including Cistus, Crataegus monogyna, Cyanus, Elaeagnus angustifolia, Papaver somniferum, Quercus, Salix, Sinapis, and Silybum from Türkiye according to palynological analysis, antioxidant activity, phenolic profiles, and color. The phenolic profiles were detected using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Bee pollens were categorized into monofloral, bifloral, and multifloral, underscoring the significance of confirming the botanical source of them depending on palynological analyses. Total phenolic content (TPC) of bee pollens ranged from 4.5 to 14.4mg gallic acid/g HBP. The samples exhibited antioxidant activity for 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS•+ ) ranging from 94.9 to 233.5µmol trolox/g HBP, whereas lower values were seen for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) ranging from 25.86 to 70.81µmol trolox/g HBP. A yellowish-red tint color was also displayed for whole samples, whereas only E. angustifolia bee pollen indicated a darker color (L*=31.6). Among the phenolic compounds, luteolin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, rutin, and genistein were the most abundant, and their profiles varied across the samples. It was also observed that TPC, antioxidant activities, and polyphenol composition were higher in samples containing pollen grains of P. somniferum, Quercus, Plantago, and E. angustifolia species. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The increasing number of new findings on honey bee pollen is crucial to food science and technology. In this sense, this study offers a robust method for verifying the authenticity and quality of 11 monofloral bee pollens, which is crucial for the food industry. It also identifies potential sources of high-quality pollen, benefiting producers, and consumers seeking superior bee pollen products.

Microbiomes, diet flexibility, and the spread of a beetle parasite of honey bees.

Invasive pests may disturb and destructively reformat the local ecosystem. The small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, originated in Africa and has expanded to America, Australia, Europe, and Asia. A key factor facilitating its fast global expansion is its ability to subsist on diverse food inside and outside honey bee colonies. SHBs feed on various plant fruits and exudates in the environment while searching for bee hives. After sneaking into a bee hive, they switch their diet to honey, pollen, and bee larvae. How SHBs survive on such a broad range of food remains unclear. In this study, we simulated the outside and within hive stages by providing banana and hive resources and quantified the SHB associated microbes adjusted by the diet. We found that SHBs fed on bananas were colonized by microbes coding more carbohydrate-active enzymes and a higher alpha diversity than communities from SHBs feeding on hive products or those collected directly from bee hives. SHBs fed on bananas and those collected from the hive showed high symbiont variance, indicated by the beta diversity. Surprisingly, we found the honey bee core symbiont Snodgrassella alvi in the guts of SHBs collected in bee hives. To determine the role of S. alvi in SHB biology, we inoculated SHBs with a genetically tagged culture of S. alvi, showing that this symbiont is a likely transient of SHBs. In contrast, the fungus Kodamaea ohmeri is the primary commensal of SHBs. Diet-based microbiome shifts are likely to play a key role in the spread and success of SHBs.

O papel dos testes qualitativos na detecção de adulterantes em mel de abelha sem ferrão: Uma promissora abordagem para produtores e consumidores de mel

Abstract Among the hive products of stingless bees (SB), honey is distinguished because it has different physicochemical properties than the honey produced by Apis mellifera. Its taste is more acidic and less sweet, and it naturally contains a higher percentage of water. Honey is one of the most frequently adulterated products marketed. Therefore, this work aimed to verify if the qualitative tests performed for A. mellifera honey are also valid for SB honey from Tetragonisca angustula, Melipona quadrifasciata, and Tetragona elongata and if they can detect the most common adulterations. Adulterations of SB honey with corn syrup, inverted sugar, and A. mellifera honey were simulated and tested with Lugol, Fiehe, and Lund reactions. For these three analyses, sample volume reduction was also tested. The Lund test did not work well with honey samples from SB because they have a higher water content, and reliable results could not be obtained. For the other two tests, the sample volume reduction used was efficient. The Fiehe test detected adulteration with corn syrup only. The Lugol test detected corn syrup and inverted sugar adulterations in all dilutions for all three SB species. No adulteration by added water or honey from A. mellifera was detected in any test. Therefore, using the qualitative Lugol’s reaction test to evaluate SB honey quality is reasonably affordable. Since it is a rapid and inexpensive test, it allows the development of production chains for SB honey. Thus, detecting inauthentic honey can be done by combining qualitative tests as the first screening, followed by quantitative tests if necessary.

Indiscriminate use and inappropriate application of agrochemicals by smallholder farmers in Amhara Region, Ethiopia: Implications for sustainable beekeeping, crop and livestock production

This study was conducted to investigate the knowledge gaps regarding the use of agrochemicals by the farming communities in the Amhara Region, Ethiopia and its impact on beekeeping, crop and livestock production. The primary data were collected through household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and researchers’ observations. A total of 540 farmers (270 beekeepers and 270 non-beekeepers) were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey data was analyzed using SPSS software version 21, while the qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. The results revealed that beekeeping contributes significantly to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Amhara Region, mainly through the provision of hive products for home consumption and income but also for pollination services. The trends in the past decade showed that honeybee colony holdings and hive productivity had decreased due to indiscriminate use of agrochemicals, among others. Both beekeeper and non-beekeeper farmers in the study areas have been using different types of agrochemicals to control crop pests, diseases and weeds, and in some areas farmers used herbicides to clear weeds from pastureland. Farmers also stated that they are already aware of the negative effects of agrochemicals on honeybees. Nevertheless, the applications of agrochemicals are continuing without attitudinal changes. The results also showed that farmers purchase agrochemicals from legal as well as illegal vendors without proper understanding of their safe use and the expiry dates. Farmers’ use of agrochemicals in violation of the technical recommendations on their proper applications; they ignore risks and safety instructions, use unsafe storage facilities, do not use protective devices when applying agrochemicals, and dispose of agrochemical containers unsafely. The findings demonstrated that apart from the direct effects on honeybees, indiscriminate and inappropriate application of agrochemicals even poses risks to the lives of farmers. Beekeepers, non-beekeepers and both crop and livestock experts revealed that nowadays IPM has not been used by farmers as an alternative to synthetic agrochemicals. Farmers are also unaware of the legal frameworks available to protect honeybees from the negative effects of agrochemicals, and they have not developed local bylaws that can be used by farming communities to protect honeybees from the negative effects of agrochemicals. The results also showed that the direct economic losses incurred due to the loss of honey bee colonies from the indiscriminate application of agrochemicals run into ETB 11,520,000.00 /USD422,133.00/. Thus, the indiscriminate use of agrochemicals has become one of the major threats to the development of beekeeping, crop and livestock production. Therefore, very strong actions are needed by concerned and responsible stakeholders to save the lives of honeybees. The interventions to reduce agrochemical exposure should be implemented through context-specific and integrated approaches.

Occurrence of Glyphosate and Other Polar Pesticides in Honey from Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna Regions in Italy: Three-Year Monitoring Results.

Intensive agricultural practices, such as pesticides use, may negatively affect bee health and hive products. Glyphosate is one of the most widely used polar pesticides applied in crops for weed control. In this study, honey samples, collected from beekeeping farms located in the Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna regions in Italy in the framework of regional monitoring plans activated from 2020 to 2022, were analyzed for the presence of residues of polar pesticides. The analytical method based on ion chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry was applied to quantify glyphosate, glufosinate, ethephon, fosetyl aluminum, and their related metabolites. Residues of glyphosate were detected in around 28% of analyzed honey samples. Observations on the distribution of the honey-production-site locations suggest that honey samples originating from the provinces within the Lombardy region, where the agricultural sector is highly developed, were more affected by glyphosate contamination than the samples collected from the areas with low agricultural activity, where no glyphosate residues were detected over the three years of the monitoring program.

Efficacy and trade-offs of an innovative hyperthermia device to control Varroa destructor in honeybee colonies

For decades, the honeybee, Apis mellifera, has suffered from severe colony losses due to the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor. Various strategies based on chemicals fail to adequately control varroa mite populations, and often comprise side-effects on the host, parasite resistance and residues in hive products. Reduced temperature tolerance of V. destructor compared to its host has long been recognised and accordingly, the potential of hyperthermia to disrupt mite reproduction within honeybee brood cells or even kill adult parasites. Yet, earlier studies on hyperthermia remain largely anecdotal, and readily implementable solutions have so far been lacking. This study investigates autonomously controlled interval heating from within brood combs throughout the season compared to control colonies maintained according to good apicultural practice. We documented treatment-dependent colony growth dynamics and honey production at three apiaries, complemented by regular monitoring of varroa mite levels and comprehensive digital assessments of brood development over time. Our one-year field trial suggests the evaluated hyperthermia device efficiently suppresses mite populations below critical thresholds until autumn. Whilst a general winter reference-curing revealed similar mite infestations of colonies previously treated with hyperthermia versus formic acid (control), only the latter imposed substantial overwintering burdens indirectly through frequent late-season queen supersedure. However, relative to targeted pupae, increased mortality particularly of heat-treated non-target brood stages (eggs and larvae) appeared to trigger compensatory colony-level responses, translating into temporarily decreased numbers of adult workers coupled with increased pollen foraging and overall lower honey harvests. Valuable insights into previously unrecognised side-effects of hyperthermia and mitigation thereof may ultimately permit successful routine applications of this chemical-free approach to combat the major threat to honeybees worldwide.

Technical Characteristics and Socio-Economic Importance of Beekeeping in the Far North Region, Cameroon

Beekeeping is a booming industry in Cameroon, thanks to the interests shown by the population in certain regions, notably Adamawa, West, North-West, and East, yet its productivity remains low. In the villages of the Far North region in particular, beekeeping is an age-old practice. A study on the technical characteristics and socio-economic importance of beekeeping has been carried out in the Far North region, with a view to contributing to the elaboration and facilitation of the development of the beekeeping sector in this zone. Ethno-beekeeping surveys of 52 beekeepers were carried out between July-August 2019 in six villages using snowball strategies, including four villages (Maga, Ngoulmoung, Modiogo, and Gamack) for the Maga subdivision and one village each for the Kaélé and Mindif subdivisions respectively. The main sections of the questionnaire concerned the socio-demographic characteristics of beekeepers, the use of hive products, and, finally, beekeepers' perception of their knowledge of beekeeping plants. It was noted that beekeeping in the area is a secondary activity (89%), mainly practiced by men (98%) and farmers (63.46%). Beekeeping practices are still predominantly traditional (68.57%). Apiaries are preferably located in orchards (37.14%). Swarm capture technical are still based on traditional technical, with satisfactory hive populating rates (94.28%); however, wax remains the most common bait used by beekeepers. Beekeepers make an average of 3 visits a month, mainly to stock the apiary, monitor the hives, and harvest the honey. Insufficient supervision, financial problems, humidity, hive theft, pesticides, wind, and bush fires are the main obstacles to beekeeping in the area. Honey is the main product exploited by all beekeepers. Honey is a key element in the treatment of cough/colds (25.83%), skin ailments, and wounds (25.95%). It is also used to soothe memory disorders. Some thirty plants have been recognized by beekeepers as food resources for bees. For sustainable beekeeping, there is an urgent need to review the issue of hive management and suitable technical for a better yield of hive products in the area.

Elucidating the Role of Honey Bees as Biomonitors in Environmental Health Research.

Recently, the One Health concept, which recognizes the interconnectedness of environmental, animal, and human health, has gained popularity. To collect data on environmental pollutants potentially harmful to human health over time, researchers often turn to natural organisms known as biomonitors. Honey bees, in particular, prove to be exceptionally valuable biomonitors due to their capacity to accumulate pollutants from the air, soil, and water within a specific radius during their foraging trips. This systematic literature review summarizes the previous application of the bee species Apis mellifera in pollutant monitoring in articles published during the period of 2010-2020. Nineteen studies were included in this systematic literature review. Of these studies, the majority (n = 15) focused on the detection of heavy metals in honey bees and beehive products, while 4 studies focused on air pollution by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or particulate matter. The matrix most often applied was the whole honey bee. The included studies demonstrated that honey bees and hive products deliver quantitative and qualitative information about specific pollutants. In this regard, the whole honey bee was found to be the most reliable biomonitor. We found that the included studies differed in design and the methods used. Standardized studies could foster a more consistent interpretation of the levels detected in beehive matrices from an environmental health perspective.