Beekeeping Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Beekeeping or apiculture is the preservation of honey bee colonies to get pure honey and helps in pollination. Beekeeping is a useful mean of strengthening livelihoods because it creates a variety of assets. The main focus of the study was to assess the impact of beekeeping training given by Society of facilitator and Trainer (SOFT) to females in Sargodha and Chakwal district. Capacity building of rural women in beekeeping was the focus and fifteen trainees’ beekeepers were selected randomly from each district for survey to assess the impact of beekeeping in their livelihood. The analysis suggests that there are some social and cultural barriers which restrict women to go out in the fields for the management practices of beekeeping. For future selection criteria of participants have to be focused and without the involvement of male member they can’t manage this whole activity in a better way. For young females it was very difficult to handle bees, proper colonies management, their s...

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- Management, Engineering, Social Psychology, Social Sciences
- by Nenad Tasic
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- Ancient History, Biochemistry, Archaeology, Anatolian Archaeology

Changes in the expression of isoenzymes, peptides and nerve cells of T. angustula and T. fiebrigi stingless bees were evaluated after in vitro contamination with Sanson® 40SC (nicosulfuron) and 200 Gramoxone® (paraquat) herbicides, and also the use of such bees as bioindicators of the presence of pesticides. After contamination, analyses of changes in expression of isoenzymes esterases (EST), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nerve cells employing CEC (critical electrolyte concentration) were conducted. The herbicide nicosulfuron causes partial inhibition of esterases from T. angustula and T. fiebrigi. The herbicide paraquat promotes total inhibition of esterase activity in T. fiebrigi from the concentration of 1%, and in concentrations of 10% and 100% in T. angustula. The superoxide dismutase isoenzymes showed an increase in their relative activity after contamination with paraquat at 10% and 100% in both species. No changes were observed for MDH and peptid...

- by Fábio Fermino
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- Zoology, Sociobiology, Ecotoxicology, Bioindicators

The concerns for the effects of honey bee declines have spurred several large-scale surveys of honey bee health around the world
to evaluate potential drivers of colony losses. United States and Europe already have well developed honey bee surveys, however,
no large-scale survey has yet been developed in South America. In this paper, we present such an initiative of a national survey of
honey bee health in Argentina, which hosts the largest population of managed honey bee colonies in South America. It is also one
of the top honey-producing countries in the world. We developed a volunteer-based survey using a standardized questionnaire
and distributed it to a national network of beekeepers. The rapid mobilization and support from beekeepers shows an interest
in and a need for this type of national survey. We call for help from the readers of American Bee Journal to improve the dissemination of the questionnaire among potential interested parties in Argentina. We provide methods and recommendations to help the development of national surveys of honey bee health and also encourage such initiatives in other South American countries.

- by Facundo Oddi and +1
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- Management, Survey Methodology, Beekeeping, Questionnaires

Dans notre modèle apicole classique, l’évolution des colonies au fil des ans impose un renouvellement régulier des reines. Si la durée de vie théorique d’une reine est de 5 années, sa durée de production est estimée classiquement à 3 ans. Il apparaît de plus en plus que le rythme de renouvellement devient bisannuel voir annuel. Mais une reine qui, selon les critères de l’apiculteur, n’a plus la vitalité requise pour maintenir l’activité de production au sein d’une ruche Dadant n’aurait-elle pas encore son utilité en dehors de cette ruche ?

- by François Godet
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- Beekeeping, Biodynamic farming

ABSTRACT: Beekeeping or apiculture is the preservation of honey bee colonies to get pure honey and helps in pollination. Beekeeping is a useful mean of strengthening livelihoods because it creates a variety of assets. The main focus of the study was to assess the impact of beekeeping training given by Society of facilitator and Trainer (SOFT) to females in Sargodha and Chakwal district. Capacity building of rural women in beekeeping was the focus and fifteen trainees ’ beekeepers were selected randomly from each district for survey to assess the impact of beekeeping in their livelihood. The analysis suggests that there are some social and cultural barriers which restrict women to go out in the fields for the management practices of beekeeping. For future selection criteria of participants have to be focused and without the involvement of male member they can’t manage this whole activity in a better way. For young females it was very difficult to handle bees, proper colonies manageme...

- by Nadeem Akmal
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- Management, Engineering, Social Psychology, Social Sciences

Propolis is a natural substance collected by honey bees from various plants such as, poplar, palm, pine, conifer secretions, gums, resins, mucilage and leaf buds. It is collected and brought very painstakingly by honey bees to be used for sealing cracks and crevices occurring in their hives. Originally, it as an antiseptic meant for preventing bee-hive from microbial infections along with preventing decomposition of intruders. Additionally, propolis has been used in folk medicine for centuries. The biological characteristics of propolis depend upon its chemical composition, plant sources, geographical zone and seasons. More than 300 compounds have been identiﬁed in propolis such as, phenolic compounds, aromatic acids, essential oils, waxes and amino acids. Many scientiﬁc articles are published every year in different inter- national journals, and several groups of researchers have focused their attention on the chemical com- pounds and biological activity of propolis.

- by Dr. Khalid Ali Khan
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- Apiculture, Beekeeping, Propolis, Apicultura

The foraging activity and hygienic behavior of bee colonies were evaluated in a new hive whose main characteristic is its divisibility and the ability to enlarge it horizontally when necessary. The foraging activity in hives before the transfer of bee colonies was 179/day while it was 48.1/day after the transfer. This reflects an average reduction of 71.9% which was lower than the minimum expected value (90%). These results indicated that there was no difference in the hygienic behavior of bees in the new hive compared the Langstroth hive.
Indeed, 2 and 3 weeks after transfer, the level of cleanliness was above 90%, indicating that the colony was highly hygienic in the new hive. These results show that the new hive Iritié has no deleterious effect on the hygienic behavior of bees and could be popularized among beekeepers, once the costs of building it was evaluated.

- by eboua wandan
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- Beekeeping

2 Katedra Marketingu i Analiz Rynkowych UWM, Olsztyn S ł o w a k l u c z o w e: propolis, ekonomika, opłacalność, rentowność pasiek.

- by Jerzy Wilde
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- Beekeeping

This research was carried out to evaluate the floral biology of Ipomoea acuminata, I. batata, I. cairica and I. quamoclit in Maringá, state of Paraná. Anthesis period, stigma receptivity, viability of the pollen grains and medium height of the style and filament were analyzed during the blossom period of Ipomoea. Both I. quamoclit and I. potato had their flowers opening at 6:00 a.m. and their closing at 2:00 p.m. The test of stigma receptivity demonstrated that I. quamoclit was receptive between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. and I. batata between 6:35 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The period of higher viability of the pollen grains in I. quamoclit was the same of the stigma receptivity. In that species, there was a reduction in the frequency of viable grains of pollen next to the time of the flowers closing. There were highest frequencies of viable pollen grains in I. batata between 6:35 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.; the variations in the frequency of viability of the pollen grains keep along the day until the flowers closing. In I. acuminata, the medium height of the style was 27.245 ± 2.431 mm and the medium height of the filament was 26.439 ± 3.147 mm. In I. batata, the medium height of the style was 19.77 mm ± 1.956 mm that is higher than the medium height of the filament. The medium height of the style in I. cairica was 19.827 mm and the medium height of the filament was 17.952 mm. In I. quamoclit the medium height of the style and the medium height of the filament had both bigger and smaller height variations of the style. For that species the estimated differences between the medium height of the style at 8:30 a.m. and the filament 1 and 4; and between the medium height of the style at 10:30 a.m. and filament 3, 4 and 5 were significant. For I. batata the differences between the medium heights of the style and of the filament were significant.

- by Vagner A Arnaut de Toledo
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- Pollination, Pollination ecology, Beekeeping, Pollination biology

Katedra Pszczelnictwa UWM, Olsztyn S ł o w a k l u c z o w e: propolis, technologie pasieczne, ekonomika pszczelarska.

- by Jerzy Wilde
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- Beekeeping

The objective of this research was to develop a prognosis support system that provides users with predictions of the dates of the beginning and end of flowering stage and the honey potential yield of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) crops. It is emphasized that this prognosis is a "poor-structured" problem and it can be solved most advantageously by a tool of "decision support system" type. The prognosis method of the flowering stage is based on "thermal time" (TT) measured in "growing degree-days". The model of calculation of the daily biologically active temperature for TT summations uses a "base temperature" of 6.7 ?C and a correction of the average daily temperature. Three TT thresholds are defined: (1) sowing emergence, (2) emergence beginning of flowering, and (3) beginning end of flowering. These TT thresholds and the honey potential yield the prognosis parameters are specific to hybrids, maturity class of hybrids (four classe...

- by Virgil Vlad
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- Mathematics, Agronomy, Crop Modeling, Biology

In this research paper author provide analisys about actual situation and problems in beekeeping sector at regional level in Gagauzia, Republic of Moldova; SWOT analisys; level of institutional development of Association of beekeepers of... more

- by Vitali Chiurcciu
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- Agriculture, Regional economic development, Beekeeping, Gagauzia

The present experiment was carried out to study biodiversity,
frequency and effect of pollinators in the production of pods and grains in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill), var. ‘Mon Soy 3329’. Two treatments were used (covered with clarite area and open area) so that bugs could visit them freely. Among the bugs, which come to visit soybean flowers, Apis mellifera species was the most frequent visitor (84.93%), followed by Lepidoptera (5.75%), Diabrotica speciosa (2.74%), Lagria villosa (Coleoptera: Lagriidae – 2.47%), wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae – 2.47%), Trigona sp. (Hymenoptera: Apidae – 0.82%) and others (0.82%). The number of pods per plant and number of seeds per plant did not show difference in covered and open areas, however, the total weight of seeds per plant and the weight of each seed were the greatest ones (43.68%) in open area (23.69g) than covered one (16.49g), with an increase of 44.45% and 50.42%, respectively, in relation to the open area without honeybees. In open area, the number of pods with one seed was 180% bigger (p <0.05) and the pods with three seeds were 31.93% smaller (p< 0.05) when compared with plants in covered area. The soybeans flowers are attractive to Africanized honeybees that contribute with this plant pollination.

- by Vagner A Arnaut de Toledo and +1
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- Pollination, Pollination ecology, Beekeeping, Pollination biology

In this article, I investigate how the Western beekeeping, quoted "modern beekeeping" arrived to Japan and with it the species Apis mellifera. This article seeks to discover how the traditional beekeeping was transformed by the adoption... more

- by William Favre
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- Asian Studies, Japanese Studies, Globalization, History of Technology

Katedra Pszczelnictwa UWM, Olsztyn S ł o w a k l u c z o w e: obnóża pyłkowe, pierzga, selekcja pszczół na gromadzenie dużych ilości pyłku, dynamika lotów po pyłek.

- by Jerzy Wilde
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- Beekeeping, Pollen trapping

Thanks to the influence of the CAP in recent years, Bulgaria has become a leader in the production and export of natural honey as a member of the EU (Koprivlenski, Dirimanova, and Agapieva, 2015). This proves that the favorable natural and climatic conditions are only a prerequisite for successful development of the sector. In order to achieve lasting market advantages, it is necessary to implement an adequate policy to promote the development of the sector (Lyubenov, 2018). The industry is defined as one of the few in which there is a large number of young entrepreneurs and start-ups. The purpose of the article is to analyze the market situation of the industry before and after the country's accession to the EU. Through numerous comparisons of individual indicators, we seek to establish the role of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in shaping the market orientation of Bulgarian beekeeping. The market analysis of the industry covers the following stages: (1) analysis of honey production; (2) analysis of trade in honey and (3) analysis of market positions. Thanks to the skillful use of natural and climatic conditions as well as the accumulated experience of the participants in the chain-value in this type of activity, Bulgaria remains one of the dominant participants in the European market of bee products. The production expansion caused by the industry's contribution to the financial assistance provided under the CAP is valorised, achieving market positions in markets where honey is traded at higher market prices.

- by Haik Garabedian
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- Management, Beekeeping, Farm management

Male honey bees fly and gather at Drone Congregation Areas (DCAs), where drones and queens mate in flight. DCAs occur in places with presumably characteristic features. Using previously described landscape characteristics and observations on flight direction of drones in nearby apiaries, 36 candidate locations were chosen across the main island of Puerto Rico. At these locations, the presence or absence of DCAs was tested by lifting a helium balloon equipped with queen-sex-pheromone-impregnated bait, and visually determining the presence of high numbers of drones. Because of the wide distribution of honey bees in Puerto Rico, it was expected that most of the potential DCAs would be used as such by drones and queens from nearby colonies. Eight DCAs were found in the 36 candidate locations. Locations with and without DCAs were compared in a landscape analysis including characteristics that were described to be associated with DCAs and others. Aspect (direction of slope) and density of trails were found to be significantly associated with the presence of DCAs.

- by Carlos Rivera
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- Landscape Ecology, Zoology, Biology, Puerto Rico
- by Ingemar Fries
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- Zoology, Animal Husbandry, Beekeeping, Disease Outbreaks

A b s t r a c t The aim of this study was to develop an effective method of overwintering reserve honey bee queens in two-storey mini-plus mating nuclei and in 3-comb nuclei (frames 36 x 26 cm, Wielkopolski hive). The assay was performed during three wintering seasons (2005 -2008) parallel at two centers in Poland: the Division of Apiculture at the University of Life Sciences (SGGW) in Warsaw, and the Apiculture Division at the University of Warmia and Mazury (UWM) in Olsztyn. The results showed that 59% of queens overwintered in mini-plus nuclei and 77% in 3-comb nuclei. Among queens in mini-plus nuclei 63% overwintered in bee yard and only 55% in cellar. Within queens in 3-comb nuclei, 62% overwintered in Olsztyn and 91% in Warsaw. The highest survival rate of 93% was observed in Warsaw during the first season. Due to low survival rate, it is not recommended to overwinter the queens in miniplus nuclei.

- by Jerzy Wilde
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- Apiculture, Beekeeping

Articolo divulgativo sul rapporto tra umani e api.

Wherever the Majang people in Ethiopia are settled, their ways of life have been attached to the history of beekeeping. In Ethiopia there settlement pattern has been formed in proximity to “Jang or Kaal”(territory left undisturbed for hunting and beekeeping).They have deep knowledge on the ecology and their perception on plants nomenclatures productive though it could vary based on the ecology. . I shall take one traditional economic activity factor and demonstrate its functions in protection of the forest undisturbed until recent times. The main source of subsistence, after shifting cultivation among the Majang is Beekeeping. The beekeeping of the Majang people as played a great role by supplying cash ,source of food and drink and particularly its indirect contribution of the restricting the Majag from destruction of the natural forest.

- by Olebak Ashinie
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- Beekeeping

Η καλλιέργεια Αρωματικών Φαρμακευτικών Φυτών (ΑΦΦ) έχει αναπτυχθεί ιδιαίτερα τα τελευταία χρόνια στην Ελλάδα. Έχοντας μία πλούσια βιοποικιλότητα σε έμβιους οργανισμούς αλλά και ποικιλία ενδιαιτημάτων, η Ελλάδα ενδείκνυται για την καλλιέργεια των αυτοφυών φυτών της κάθε περιοχής. Στην παρουσίαση αναλύονται επιλεγμένα ΑΦΦ, τα οποία μπορούν να αποτελέσουν και τροφή για της μέλισσες. Γεννάται αυτομάτως το ερώτημα, μπορούν οι καλλιεργητές να συνεργαστούν με μελισσοκόμους ή/και οι καλλιεργητές να γίνουν και μελισσοκόμοι. Πως κάποιος θα μπορούσε να φτιάξει το δικό του βιώσιμο-στατικό μελισσοκομείο;

Turkey has considerable potential in beekeeping with her rich flora, proper ecological conditions and existence of colony. However, Turkish beekeeping sector has not yet utilized the rich natural resources sufficiently. Turkey is one of... more

- by hasan vural
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- Socioeconomics, Technology, Beekeeping
- by Christian Kuhn and +1
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- Early Modern History, Public History, Environmental History, Environmental Sustainability
- by Alicja Kowalska
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- Beekeeping, Beekeeping and Honey Production

Regarding traditional beekeeping in Crete, based on the beekeeping methods and hives that have been recorded in recent centuries, we can distinguish two areas: central-western Crete, where vertical hives with movable combs were in use, and the eastern part of the island, where a horizontal hive with fixed combs was used. Hives with movable combs (or top-bar hives) were constructed from various materials such as clay, woven wicker branches or more rarely from wooden boards. The clay ones were the most widely used and were usually constructed by travelling potters, who organized artisanal groups (guilds) and travelled around the island selling their wares. The wicker top-bar hives, which usually did not have a base, were used in western Crete, mostly for migratory beekeeping, while the rectangular wooden top-bar hives were used only rarely in certain areas such as Sphakia. In eastern Crete a horizontal, ceramic beehive open at both ends with a truncated-cone shape was in use, usually placed in rows. All the hives in Crete were covered with various materials for protection from the elements and were often placed inside bee enclosures. The knowledge of traditional Cretan beekeepers regarding bees was limited. Despite this fact, however, the users of hives with movable combs practiced beekeeping in the most rational and effective way that has been recorded prior to the invention of the modern hive. In doing so, they executed a series of beekeeping tasks that were not possible for users of other types of hive. But even the beekeepers in the eastern part of the island, where a horizontal hive with fixed combs was used, applied certain unique methods, which are a testament to the advanced level of beekeeping knowledge they possessed.

- by Georgios Mavrofridis
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- Archaeology, Near Eastern Archaeology, Ethnography, Material Culture Studies

One point in the Egg Basket of the Philippines is a hidden one hectare orchard and beekeeping farm named Milea. As differs from other beefarm, this garden of bees is a proud family bee farm. And it has a one of a kind story to tell A. Bee A Family A combination of Milette, the eldest among siblings, and Bea, the second lady, comprise the name of Milea. The family has three children, Milette, Bea, and Patrick. The bee interest all started when the youngest boy had developed skin asthma. This illness has no cure than to manage it the natural way.

- by mary elenor adagio
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- Beekeeping, Honey Bees

The apiculture business plan here is a detailed information on a natural beekeeping business plan for a community based organization. The plan also detailed the most products of beehive like, pollen, propolis, wax, royal Jelly and bee... more

The apiculture business plan here is a detailed information on a natural beekeeping business plan for a community based organization.
The plan also detailed the most products of beehive like, pollen, propolis, wax, royal Jelly and bee honey.

- by Naff Kennedy
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- Beekeeping, Honey
- by Rujuju Ichumbaki
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- Beekeeping

Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is the major challenge for beekeeping worldwide. Therefore, various methods and
materials for Varroa control have been suggested and tested including; plant extracts, essential oils, biological agents, mechanical methods and some chemicals. This paper aims to present the available options for Varroa control and to survey the performed comparative studies among these options. This paper can be considered as a good guide for researchers during their studies on Varroa control. The presented review highlights that still more comparative studies among Varroa control options under different ecological conditions are strongly required. Basically the performed researches have been concentrated on testing chemical materials and essential oils while relatively few studies have been done on the other control options. It is concluded that the Varroa mite should be continuously (monthly) managed within honey bee colonies using mechanical methods or treatment with essential oils (mainly thymol). In severe cases, and especially during the fall and not during honey seasons, the use of chemical materials
can be done with preference to oxalic or formic acid.

- by Dr. Hossam Abou-Shaara
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- Apiculture, Acaralogia:Ticks and mites, Beekeeping, Bees
- by Kare Cumberbatch
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- Women, Agriculture, Guyana, Beekeeping

Kurier Pszczelarski Nr 40
ISSN 2450 - 8659

- by Anna Tomańska
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- Performance Art, Dance, Beekeeping, Taniec

L’apicoltura è un’attività diffusa in quasi tutti i Paesi del mondo con caratteristiche molto eterogenee.
Il poster riporta i risultati economici di un piccolo allevamento apistico di media montagna caratterizzato da produzioni contenute, ma di notevole qualità, condotto con un livello limitato di meccanizzazione, congruente con la tipologia produttiva hobbistica.

- by Simone Blanc and +1
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- Rural Development, Sustainable Rural Development, Beekeeping, Honey bee ecology and products

a b s t r a c t Honey bees are attacked by numerous parasites and pathogens toward which they present a variety of individual and group-level defenses. In this review, we briefly introduce the many pathogens and parasites afflicting honey bees, highlighting the biology of specific taxonomic groups mainly as they relate to virulence and possible defenses. Second, we describe physiological, immunological, and behavioral responses of individual bees toward pathogens and parasites. Third, bees also show behavioral mechanisms for reducing the disease risk of their nestmates. Accordingly, we discuss the dynamics of hygienic behavior and other group-level behaviors that can limit disease. Finally, we conclude with several avenues of research that seem especially promising for understanding host-parasite relationships in bees and for developing breeding or management strategies for enhancing honey bee health. We discuss how human efforts to maintain healthy colonies intersect with similar efforts by the bees, and how bee management and breeding protocols can affect disease traits in the short and long term.

- by Marla Spivak
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- Zoology, Innate immunity, Animal Husbandry, Beekeeping

In 2019, the World Bank declared South Africa the most economically unequal society in the world. Within this context, Beegin is designed to provide a tool for financial empowerment, essential for undoing existing racial inequities, while simultaneously nurturing a healthy local ecology. It positively supports emerging and expert beekeepers, as well as bees themselves.

Chapter 6 La apicultura en el ager de Segóbriga (Cuenca, Spain) ..

- by Georgios Mavrofridis
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- Archaeology, Classical Archaeology, Ethnography, Apiculture

a alcuni mesi il mio modo di lavorare con le api sta subendo un cambiamento. Questo cambiamento non è scaturito da una nuova intuizione tecnica e gestionale e non necessariamente sta facilitando i miei interventi in apiario, ma è qualcosa che non ho potuto evitare. Prima di entrare nel discorso, vorrei condividere come ci sono arrivato. Ci sono spesso espressioni che ascoltiamo distrattamente per anni senza darvi troppo peso o capirne le implicazioni. Per me, una di queste espressioni era "modello animale", riferito a una modalità di sperimentazione dell'efficacia di nuovi farmaci per le malattie umane, passando prima per topi, scimmie, conigli, gatti, cani. Nel raccogliere quegli studi che potessero permettermi di parlare a ragion veduta dell'efficacia terapeutica dei prodotti dell'alveare, mi sono imbattuto più da vicino in alcune esemplificazioni di cosa implica "modello animale". In uno studio giapponese (Yamaura e altri) vengono utilizzati topi a cui è stata indotta con 5 settimane di ripetute iniezioni di trinitrocluorobenzene una dermatite allergica cronica di contatto, per testare le proprietà topiche della pappa reale su prurito e infiammazione. In uno studio coreano (Hyunsu Bae e altri) vengono utilizzati topi a cui viene iniettato per via intraperitoneale cisplatino, un farmaco anticancro che provoca però nefrotossicità. I topi sono stati "sacrificati" sotto anestesia con etere per estrarre campioni di sangue, milza e reni, allo scopo di verificare se il veleno d'api somministrato preventivamente ad alcuni di loro avesse effetto protettivo rispetto alla nefrotossicità indotta. L'esperimento è peraltro approvato dall'Animal Care and Use Committee della Kyung Hee University. In uno studio coreano (Jang-Hern Lee e altri), per verificare la possibilità del veleno d'api di lenire il dolore neuropatico, viene praticata su topi una lesione da costrizione cronica del nervo sciatico, che ha lo scopo di provocare ipersensibilità al dolore: in pratica il nervo sciatico viene inciso e legato, per occludere, senza arrestarlo, il flusso di sangue epineurale. A seguito della chirurgia i topi mostrano una postura anomala della zampa posteriore, si agitano e leccano la zampa ferita, mostrando così la presenza di dolore spontaneo. Sono anche possibili disfunzioni comportamentali. L'esperimento è peraltro approvato dall'Animal Care and Use Commettee dell'Università di Seul. L'Institut National de Recherches Agricoles francese ha messo a punto un esperimento sui topi allo scopo di studiare gli effetti del polline sulla malattia di Crohn. Dell'acido sulfonico di trinitrobenzene è stato inserito nell'intestino dei topi per provocare lesioni e infiammazioni simili a quelle della malattia di Crohn. Uno studio egiziano-saudita (Malki e Sayed) si è proposto di mostrare gli effetti del miele su una epatotossicità indotta in ratti albini, iniettando loro del giallo di metanile, una tintura azotata che, somministrata per via intraperitoneale, intratesticolare o orale ad animali di laboratorio, produce lesioni testicolari, diminuzione della spermatogenesi, alterazioni nel sistema ematopoietico (che presiede alla formazione del sangue) e riduzione della secrezione di mucina delle cellule intestinali. Alla fine del periodo sperimentale gli animali sono stati sacrificati per procedere all'estrazione del fegato e agli esami. In uno studio turco svolto con lo scopo di verificare l'eventuale effetto neuroprotettivo dell'acido caffeico, una componente della propoli, dei topi sono stati sottoposti a iniezione di pentilenetrazolo, una sostanza che induce crisi epilettiche, e successivamente "sacrificati" per prelevare i tessuti del cervello. In un altro studio turco viene iniettata a dei topi della bleomicina per indurre un danno pol-Che cosa rappresentano per noi apicoltori le api? Che cosa veramente ci importa di loro?

- by Paolo Faccioli
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- Animal Welfare Theories, Animal Rights, Beekeeping

Estima-se um total de 2,9 milhões de colônias de A. mellifera nos EUA e dois milhões dessas colônias estão diretamente envolvidas em polinização de culturas, produção de mel e cera (MORSE E CALDERONE, 2000). Os mesmos autores relataram que 2.500.000 colônias são utilizadas na polinização dos USA,
contra 2.035.000 no ano de 1989. Esse aumento de 18,6% deu-se devido ao aumento da indústria da amêndoa na Califórnia que somou mais 300.000 dessas colônias. Outro fator foi o aumento da população dos Estados Unidos que cresceu 10% na
última década, contabilizando para 10% o aumento da produção de alimentos e, ao mesmo tempo, somando mais 200.000 colônias de abelhas Apis mellifera. Em uma estimativa mais recente (GALLAI et al., 2008) constataram que o valor econômico mundial do serviço de polinização por insetos, principalmente abelhas, foi de 153 bilhões de euros em 2005 para as principais culturas que alimentam o mundo. No Brasil, os estudos sobre o valor econômico da polinização e seus déficits ainda são escassos. As informações limitadas demonstram que a agricultura no Brasil pode crescer muito mais, uma vez que a produtividade poderá aumentar com o
emprego de técnicas de polinização que sejam adequadas a uma área agrícola específica ou ecossistema. A deficiência de informações remete ao grande potencial para pesquisas
aplicadas com abelhas e ao desenvolvimento da agricultura no país e no mundo. O que diretamente está relacionado às diversas áreas como Engenharia Florestal, Zootecnia, Biologia, Agronomia, Estatística, Matemática, Melhoramento Animal e
Vegetal, Genética Quantitativa e Molecular, entre outras. A polinização é um serviço imprescindível para a manutenção das culturas agrícolas e da biodiversidade. A quantificação ainda deficiente desse serviço em valores econômicos justifica todas as iniciativas nacionais e internacionais para a preservação dos insetos polinizadores, mais especificamente das abelhas, que até agora não abrangem toda a extensão territorial do nosso país e do mundo.

- by Vagner A Arnaut de Toledo
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- Pollination, Pollination ecology, Beekeeping, Pollinators
- by Rafal Beszterda
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- Himalayan culture, Beekeeping, Ethnicity and National Identity

RÉSUMÉ La promotion de la culture de l'anacarde et de son association à l'élevage des abeilles représente de nos jours une opportunité dans le cadre de la diversification des filières tout en misant sur un meilleur rendement. L'étude vise à établir l'état des lieux de la caractérisation moléculaire et éthologique de l'abeille Apis mellifera adansonii et de son parasite Varroa destructor, dans l'habitat de l'anacardier au Bénin. Après une brève description du système agro-forestier basé sur l'anacardier et des abeilles mellifères pollinisatrices des cultures, les approches morphométriques et moléculaires qui sont les éléments d'identification de la lignée, des écotypes et de la race des abeilles ont été énumérées. Il ressort de l'analyse de ces travaux que :-les études morphométriques ont été effectuées sur les abeilles dans chacun des continents (Afrique, Europe, Amériques, Asie etc.) ;-de nombreuses études scientifiques existent sur la diversité des populations d'abeilles en Europe, aux Amériques et en Asie contrairement en Afrique ou une seule étude a été effectuée sur la diversité génétique des populations d'abeilles ;-au Bénin, les travaux sur la diversité génétique des d'abeilles et l'étude de leur comportement n'existent pas à notre connaissance. Pourtant, des études en génétique des populations sur les abeilles mellifères devraient être faites au Bénin pour la préservation de la biodiversité des abeilles. De telles études sont importantes dans l'habitat de l'anacardier au Bénin pour une promotion de l'association de l'apiculture à l'agriculture et un meilleur rendement de la production d'anacarde au Bénin. ABSTRACT Summary literature on molecular and ethological characterization of the bee (Apis mellifera) and its parasite Varroa destructor in the cashew tree's habitat in Benin. Promoting the cashew tree and associating it with beekeeping is nowadays an opportunity for diversifying industries while focusing on improved productivity. The purpose of this study is to take stock of the molecular and ethological characterization of the bee Apis mellifera adansonii and its parasite Varroa destructor in the cashew tree habitat in Benin. After an overview of the agroforestry system based on the cashew tree and bees pollinating crops, morphometric and molecular approaches that are the identifiers of line, ecotypes and the breed of bees were listed. From the analysis of these researches, the following conclusions can be safely drawn:-morphometric studies were conducted on bees on each continent (Africa, Europe, Asia etc…);-Kelomey et al. 368 many scientific studies are available on the diversity of the bee populations in Europe, America and Asia unlike Africa where only one worked on the genetic diversity of the bee populations;-researches on the genetic diversity of bees and the behavioral study of them are not available in Benin. Yet, studies of honeybees in population genetics should be conducted in Benin so as to preserve the biodiversity of bees. Such studies are significant in the habitat of the cashew tree in Benin for promoting beekeeping association with agriculture and for an improved performance of the cashew sector in Benin.

- by Paraiso Armand and +1
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- Genetic Diversity, Beekeeping, Beehive

A variety of methods are used in honey bee research and differ depending on the level at which the research is conducted. On an individual level, the handling of individual honey bees, including the queen, larvae and pupae are required. There are different methods for the immobilising, killing and storing as well as determining individual weight of bees. The precise timing of developmental stages is also an important aspect of sampling individuals for experiments. In order to investigate and manipulate functional processes in honey bees, e.g. memory formation and retrieval and gene expression, microinjection is often used. A method that is used by both researchers and beekeepers is the marking of queens that serves not only to help to locate her during her life, but also enables the dating of queens. Creating multiple queen colonies allows the beekeeper to maintain spare queens, increase brood production or ask questions related to reproduction. On colony level, very useful techniques are the measurement of intra hive mortality using dead bee traps, weighing of full hives, collecting pollen and nectar, and digital monitoring of brood development via location recognition. At the population level, estimation of population density is essential to evaluate the health status and using beelines help to locate wild colonies. These methods, described in this paper, are especially valuable when investigating the effects of pesticide applications, environmental pollution and diseases on colony survival.

- by Jerzy Wilde
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- Beekeeping, Apis mellifera