Bees evolved in specific areas of the world long ago, before they spread to become
globally as they are today (Tables 1 and II), according to Kugonza (2009). As they
spread, they became adapted to the local ecological conditions of the different areas,
changing in morphology and behaviour to fit within the requirements of the ecosystem,
giving rise to a wide bee biodiversity of bee species and races we see today. Bees are
classified under Animal Kingdom, Phylum Arthropoda. They belong to Class Insecta,
which is divided into 29 Orders. Bees belong to the order Hymenoptera, which has three
Super families, namely: Apoidea (bees), Formicoidea (ants) and Vespoidea (wasps).
There are around 30,000 named species of bees (Apoidea). Apoidea is further divided
into several Families, namely Apidae (social bees), colletidae, Andrenidae, Halictidae,
Melittidae, Megachilidae, and Anthophoridae. Most of the Families have solitary
individuals: each female bee makes her own nest, lays a single egg and provides food for
the single larva that develops. However, a high level of social development is shown by
the species in Apidae where the individuals live together in a permanent, large colony,
headed by a single egg-laying queen (BfD, 2003c). Apidae is composed of four genera:
Apis (honeybees), Trigona and Melipona (stingless bees), and Bombus (bumble bees).
According to MAAIF (2012a), the genus Apis is comprised of 5 main species of honey
bees: Apis dorsata (the giant honey bee); Apis laboriosa (the darker giant honey bee);
Apis florea (the little or dwarf honey bee); Apis cerana (formerly Apis indica), is the
eastern hive honey bee; and Apis mellifera (western honey bee). These species have
evolved and differentiated into more species and races of honey bees. Kugonza (2009)
described 9 species of honey bees in the world, which Oldroyd and Wongsiri (2006)
grouped under 3 subgenera: Micrapis (Apis florea and A. andreniformis), Megapis (A.
dorsata and A. laboriosa) and Apis (A. cerana, recently recognized as separate races of
A. nigrocinta, A. koschevnikovi and A. nuluensis, and A. mellifera). Dietz (1992), Hussein
(2000) and Wikipedia (2012) described over 28 races of A. mellifera alone. Beekeeping
started with honey bees (Apis species), a practice called Apiculture, although keeping of
stingless bees, belonging to the genera Trigona and Melipona, a practice called
Meliponiculture, has recently picked up [...]
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. DESCRIPTION
3. GENERAL ANALYSIS
4. ACTUALIZATION
5. DISCUSSIONS
6. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
7. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this work is to provide a comprehensive review of honey bee biodiversity, with a specific focus on the behavior, management, and ecological factors affecting different bee species and races. The paper aims to address the challenges in honey bee management, particularly in the context of African beekeeping, by exploring how an understanding of honey bee biology and behavior can inform more effective and sustainable beekeeping practices.
- Biodiversity and classification of honey bee species and races
- Behavioral responses to internal and external environmental stimuli
- Impact of diseases, parasites, and predators on colony health
- Management strategies and the influence of pesticides on honey bees
- Advancements in beekeeping technology and indigenous knowledge
Excerpt from the Book
Description
Honey bee activities and behaviour can be categorized into 2; those displayed under normal conditions and the others displayed under conditions of stress or disturbance. In both cases, the bees are responding to factors or stimuli in their immediate internal and external environments, which are detected by their sensory cells. The bees react to the stimuli in a particular (stereo-typed) way, because their nervous systems are “hard-wired” or “programmed” genetically to react in this manner (Gary, 1992), hence their behaviour. This section, therefore, describes the internal and external stimuli that bees respond to, the pattern of their responses and how the behavioral responses can be manipulated for the benefit of mankind. The various honey bee species and races, their characteristic behaviors and geographical distribution are also described here (Tables 1 and II).
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of honey bee evolution, classification, and the history of beekeeping, establishing the focus on apiculture.
2. DESCRIPTION: Details the internal and external factors that influence honey bee behavior, including caste, development stage, hormones, and environmental stimuli.
3. GENERAL ANALYSIS: Extends the discussion on honey bee races, summarizing additional data on geographic distribution and subspecies variation.
4. ACTUALIZATION: Examines practical management methods, analyzing how honey bee behavior informs techniques used to exploit and conserve the bee resource.
5. DISCUSSIONS: Critically evaluates the current state of beekeeping, addressing regional challenges and the need for further indigenous research.
6. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Proposes systematic research, breeding programs, and policy shifts to improve the sustainability of the beekeeping industry.
7. CONCLUSION: Reaffirms the need for precise identification of bee species to develop appropriate management technologies and address critical constraints in African beekeeping.
Keywords
Apiculture, Honey bee, Biodiversity, Behaviour, Apis mellifera, Colony management, Pests, Diseases, Pesticides, Indigenous knowledge, Bee biology, Ecology, African honey bee, Sustainable beekeeping, Pollination
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental purpose of this work?
The work provides a comprehensive review of honey bee biodiversity, focusing on how species behavior and ecological adaptation influence modern beekeeping management strategies.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The key themes include honey bee classification, behavioral patterns, the impact of pests and diseases, pesticide toxicity, and management challenges in tropical African environments.
What is the central research focus?
The research explores how understanding the biology and behavior of different honey bee races can be applied to optimize management practices and improve sustainable productivity.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
This study employs a literature-based review, analyzing extensive documentation and scientific data regarding honey bee species, behavioral studies, and management practices globally.
What topics are addressed in the main body?
The main body covers internal and external behavioral stimuli, specific behavioral characteristics of various honey bee races, and detailed analyses of diseases, parasites, and pesticide threats.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The most relevant keywords include apiculture, biodiversity, colony management, bee behavior, and sustainable development in the beekeeping industry.
How do African honey bees differ in management requirements?
African honey bees, such as Apis mellifera scutellata, are noted for being more defensive, nomadic, and prone to swarming, requiring specialized management strategies compared to temperate bee races.
What role do pesticides play in honey bee management?
Pesticides represent a major threat to colony health; the text provides detailed tables categorizing pesticides by their toxicity levels to help beekeepers make informed decisions to protect their colonies.
- Arbeit zitieren
- BSc, MS (Candidate) Cosmas Alfred Butele (Autor:in), 2012, A Review of Honeybee Biodiversity, Behaviour and Management, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/209165
