Melipona scutellaris Latreille, 1811 is of economic importance for local beekeepers, besides its relevance in the pollination of native plant species of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Currently, data on the use of floral resources by Meliponini colonies are scarce, particularly in urban environments. We evaluated the botanical origin, the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of pollen

Honey bees have been an important area of research and study going back at least to the days of Aristotle in the third century B.C. The amount and breadth of this research have been steadily increasing over time, especially during the modern age with the growing importance of honey bees to our society in agriculture, economics, food, medicine, and even computing technology. Even for those familiar

Propolis is a honey bee product containing resin derived from plants. It has been shown that propolis protects beehives against infections and enhances their immunity. The honey bee favorite source of resin for propolis production in southeast Brazil is Baccharis dracunculifolia (Asteraceae), a species not adapted to grow inside forests. Colonies of Africanized honey bees were placed in a clearing

(2020). Editorial. Journal of Apicultural Research: Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 331-331.

Pesticides are considered as the most important factors of pollinators’ decline. Imidacloprid (IMD), belonging to Neonicotinoids class, is widely used as a powerful insecticide but generating important negative effects on honey bees. The current study investigated the direct effect of IMD on bee spermatozoa. The experimental design consisted of in vitro co-incubation of bee gametes with three different

Beeswax samples of different origins were evaluated for their authenticity by infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) method was used for the genuineness assessment and the melting process was examined using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method. Eight suspicious beeswax samples delivered by local beekeepers were examined. As reference

This work aimed to compare the measurements, developmental length, and weight of eggs laid by colony queens naturally mated halfqueens and laying workers of the Egyptian honey bee Apis mellifera lamarckii. The dry weight of workers emerged from the queen and halfqueen eggs were also compared. The eggs of laying workers were significantly shorter, slimmer, and lighter than the eggs of the other two

A cohort of 183 worker honey bees was used to estimate the effect of the own vs. a foreign colony odor on their olfactory and thermal preferences and metabolic rate. Bees showed a marked preference toward their colony odor and a distinct aversion to the foreign colony odor. Both the preference and aversion were limited to night hours. In contrast, the metabolic rate of bees was affected by the odors

(2020). Correction. Journal of Apicultural Research: Vol. 59, No. 4, pp. 730-730.

Most Varroa induced colony losses occur during the autumn or winter season as a consequence of an elevated Varroa infestation level and an insufficient health status of the adult bees. Even with an initial low Varroa infestation in early spring, critical mite and virus infection levels can be reached before winter if colonies continuously rear brood throughout the whole season. To overcome this challenge

Mead or honey wine is an alcoholic beverage traditionally produced by the fermentation of a mixture of honey and water. Mead fermentation faces several problems that include sluggish and stuck fermentations, mainly caused by nutrient disequilibrium. In this context, the present study aimed at optimizing the mead fermentation process based on three nutritional factors: nitrogen, minerals, and vitamins

Propolis has been used in ethnobotany and traditional practices and is currently considered a source of phytotherapeutics. The aim of this study was to develop an antibiotic and antioxidant hydrogel containing Argentine propolis extract and evaluate its stability for one year in different conditions. A fingerprint by HPLC-DAD of propolis extract showed the presence of caffeic, coumaric, ferulic and

Temporal polyethism is based on physiological differences related to the honey bee activities into the colony, suggesting a different requirement of antioxidant activity in each honey bee development stage. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), the catalase and the glutathione S transferase (GST) activities were investigated in ventriculus, thorax and wings of pupae with dark brown eyes newly emerged, nurse

The ectoparasitic mite Tropilaelaps clareae is an important honey bee pest in Asia. No survey on its presence on Apis cerana colonies have been performed in Himachal Pradesh state of India. In the present investigation, we observed the presence of T. clareae in brood of A. cerana colonies during the period of one year. T. clareae was found during the brooding period in spring and autumn, albeit generally

Essential oils (EOs) extracted from the aromatic plants Artemisia annua, Artemisia verlotiorum, Cinnamomum verum, and Citrus reticulata were investigated as repellents against the honey bees parasitic mite Varroa destructor. In laboratory tests, all EOs except C. reticulata exerted significant repellent activity against the mite after 24 h exposure. C. verumwas the most effective EO against V. destructor

Quercus frainetto honeydew honey production is characteristic of the geographical region of Požega valley, Croatia. This honeydew honey is produced in a specific way, from sweet fruit sap formed at the place where green acorns were discarded, without the mediation of plant sucking insects. The aim of this study was to determine physicochemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, multielement profile

The dwarf honey bee (Apis florea Fabricius) is one of the most important pollinator species of tropical and arid regions of Iran and other countries. Considering the importance of dwarf honey bee as an important pollinator in Iran, the current study was carried out to the model spatial distribution of dwarf honey bee and to assess the effect of environmental factors on this species. A potential distribution

Anthropogenic activities are accelerating the loss of pollinators and the services they provide. Studies have suggested that forests near agricultural farms could serve as pollinator reservoirs. To explore this hypothesis, we examined the relationship between distance to the forest and the number of floral visitors in seven agricultural farms in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in southern India. We used

This study assessed the effects of different protein levels on the development of the mandibular gland (MG) in six-day-old worker bees (Apis mellifera) during the dearth period. Twenty colonies were randomly assigned to one of four experimental diets containing 0%, 23%, 25%, or 27% crude protein (CP), with five replicates each. The experimental diets were composed of feed meal and honey sirup. Each

It is generally known that beeswax is falsified, and adulterated waxes are increasingly appearing in markets. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy techniques were used to assess changes in the composition of n-alkanes, fatty acids, monoesters, methyl esters, hydroxy esters, and carboxylic acids caused by the adulteration of beeswax by paraffin

The effect of the basin of the Gurgueia River (perennial river in the semiarid region of Brazil) on the dispersion and migration of Africanized bees (Apis mellifera) was evaluated using six microsatellite markers. Four municipalities located within (n = 53 colonies) and three outside the Gurgueia River Basin (n = 41 colonies) were sampled. Based on the number of alleles found (mean of 18.5 alleles

Information on plants providing provisions (nectar and/or pollen) and nesting material for Megachile bees is fundamental for their conservation and habitat management to obtain optimal pollination services. Considering insufficient work reporting on these aspects in north India, studies were carried out to investigate the interactions between the plant species and the Megachile bees, through observing

In this study the effects of inorganic iron (Fe) supplementation on the morphology of mandibular glands in Apis mellifera were investigated. We randomly assigned 12 beehives to four treatment groups (with three hives in each group), as follows: Fe0 (no Fe supplementation), and Fe25, Fe50, and Fe100 (supplemented with 25, 50, and 100 ppm Fe, respectively). Ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (containing 33

Propolis has attracted commercial interest as a good source of flavonoids and terpenes. This study applied a two-step sequential extraction process, consisting of a super/subcritical extraction step and an ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction (UAEE) step to raw propolis. The yields of propolis extracts and the extraction rates of flavonoids and terpenes have been used to evaluate the different extraction

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is both a commonly used method and a promising tool for investigating the foraging activities of bees. To prevent loss of electronic tags from individual bees, they must be immobilized long enough for adhesives to dry, but because narcosis can negatively affect bee health and behaviors, a very brief narcosis period is recommended. The present study assessed the

The objective of the present study is to use discriminant analysis to distinguish three types of floral honey from each other and from sugar-feeding honey by parameters that can be determined easily in routine honey control. The characterization of three types of floral (citrus, clover, cotton) and sugar-feeding honey was carried out based on their quality parameters [pH, glucose, fructose, sucrose

Major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs) are deemed to the most characteristic and abundant constituents in royal jelly. The present paper establishes a sequential process to purify the natural MRJP 1–3 by three different chromatographic procedures. Five individual proteins were obtained, including MRJP 1 oligomer 1, MRJP 1 oligomer 2, MRJP 1 monomer, MRJP 2 and MRJP 3s (contain three MRJP 3 variants) with

In beekeeping, the knowledge of nutrition must be improved to maximize its genetic potential to enhance productivity, especially in times of food shortages. This study aimed at studying the influence of protein supplements on the development of Melipona rufiventris bee colonies. About 15 colonies of M. rufiventris were used. They were divided into three treatments with five replicates in a 3 × 3 factorial

This study estimates the diversity, abundance and floral associations of native wild bees present in a nature reserve in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The study included monthly sampling from September to April for two consecutive seasons (2011–2013). Bees were collected using entomological nets and pan traps along transects in the reserve area. A total of 1102 specimens belonging to 87 wild bee species/morphospecies

It has been reported that stingless bees of the genus Trigona are regular visitors to the Jatropha curcas bioenergetic plant, physic nut. These bees use their mandibular system to extract cellulose and resin from the stem, materials necessary for the construction of nests. The objective of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of begomovirus (BV) in populations of Trigonas visitors of J. curcas

This study seeks to evaluate the effects of Iranian green propolis (IGP) and Leishmania heat shock protein (HSP) 70 as adjuvants, each combined with Leishmania glycoprotein (Gp) 63 as an antigen, on the immune responses in Balb/c mice, in order to develop a new vaccine formulation against Leishmania parasites. Forty-four Balb/c mice were divided into six groups, each inoculated subcutaneously with

This is the first assay that describes the isolation and identification of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) from stored honey of the honey bee Apis mellifera meda. Honey samples were collected from stored honey of A. m. meda at the apiary of the Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, and were stored one year at room temperature, before LAB were isolated from stored honey using selective media. The isolates

Greater wax moths (GWM, Galleria mellonella L.) are important pests of Western honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies. The larval moths feed on wax combs, cast honey bee larval skins, pollen, and some honey, leaving behind a destroyed comb containing moth silk and frass. We used standard protocols to determine how GWM larva consumption of wax comb impacts various food utilization and larval growth

Honey is a natural product which is highly consumed due to its health benefits. Monofloral honeys which are produced mainly from the nectar of single plant species are known as high quality products and they have higher market price. Тhe development and improvement of novel techniques for honey botanical identification is widely discussed. Honey botanical identification is a subject to melissopalynological

Honey as a delicious food; it is especially chosen for old, sick and pregnant people. The quality of honey is the most predetermining issue in price determination. It is also a centre of attention that consumers value in marketing. The present review was focused on parameters for honey quality: moisture contents, reducing sugars (glucose and fructose), sucrose, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), diastase

Nutrition is important in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colony decline. While the honey bee is incapable of converting dietary plant sterols to cholesterol, the sterol 24-methylenecholesterol has been previously shown to be selectively transferred from worker honey bees to developing brood in both laboratory and field studies. The importance of 24-methylenecholesterol to honey bee development and nutrition

The distribution of the honey bee lineages in North Lebanon and Akkar governorates was analyzed using the mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) test through the amplification of the COI-COII region by polymerase chain reaction followed by DraI enzyme restriction analysis. A total of 95 samples were collected from 32 different locations, in addition to two reference samples. MtDNA analysis showed that 72% of the

There are viral, fungal, bacterial and trypanosomal pathogens that negatively impact the individual and superorganismal health of the western honey bee. One fungal pathogen, Ascosphaera apis, affects larvae and is the etiological agent of the disease chalkbrood. A previous genome analysis of A. apis revealed that its genome encodes for RNA interference genes, similar to other fungi and eukaryotes.

Honey bee venom (HBV) is composed of an intricate mixture of polypeptides, enzymes, amines, lipids, and amino acids. The principal enzyme present in HBV is Phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The present investigation includes retrieval of amino acid sequence information, sequence analysis and physicochemical characterization of PLA2 protein sequences of three honey bee species viz., Apis mellifera, Apis dorsata

The purpose of this study was to compare the qualitative and quantitative changes of sperm viability of Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis mellifera siciliana stored at a steady room temperature of 23 °C after manual collection. The characteristics of semen were evaluated within 3–4 h after its collection. The semen volume produced by each drone of A. m. siciliana averaged 0.92 ± 0.03 μL; the sperm

The effects of supplementary feeding (artificial diet cake + sucrose syrup supplemented with vitamin C) for different periods (feeding for 12, 15 and 18 weeks) on colony development, protein content and antioxidant system in newly emerged workers were investigated from October to March for two consecutive beekeeping seasons. Sugar syrup was used as the control. The results revealed that there was a

A chemical and palynological study was performed on honey of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) produced and marketed in the nine states that comprise the Northeast Region of Brazil. A total of 58 samples were obtained from markets between the years 2015 and 2017. The pollen spectra of the samples encompassed 232 pollen types of defined botanical origin, with 31 samples possessing predominant

Cuba is a tropical island where beekeeping is an important economic activity. Cuban honey bees have a European origin, being hybrids of Apis mellifera mellifera and A. m. ligustica. Although Varroa destructor and Nosema are widely distributed in the country, there is no information regarding Nosema species identity and the presence of honey bee viruses. In this study, we report for the first time the

Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has largely failed as a source of extractable honey from present day cultivated hybrids in India since 1999. So, the amount and rhythms of nectar secretion measured as dry nectar sugars (DNS) of 6 hybrids and 2 old populations were evaluated. Three day old florets (DOF) produced maximum DNS (0.891 mg/floret) at 1000 h and in the outermost ring of the capitulum (0.917 mg)

Depending on the temperature and relative humidity of the air the external activity of the bees can vary in different times of the year and times of the day. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of external activities of the bee Melipona fasciculata in different seasons and periods of the day. Four colonies were used for the study and evaluated for 12 months. The evaluated

The morphometric divergence between Apis cerana hainana and A. cerana remains uncertain. To differentiate A. cerana hainana from A. cerana, we investigate the morphological characteristics of A. cerana hainana from different geographical locations in Hainan Province. Our results revealed that the mean morphological characteristics of A. cerana hainana were lower than that of A. cerana previously reported

This study was carried out to determine the antioxidant, antiradical and antipyretic effects and the total phenolic content of poplar-type olive oil extract of propolis (OOEP). As a result of the analysis of olive oil extract of propolis with HPLC, it was determined that the main phenolic compounds were caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), dimethoxycinnamic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric

The objective of this study was enumeration and identification of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from honey bee (Apis mellifera L) and testing their antibacterial activity against different types of bacteria. Dilution method and cultivation in selective media were used for enumeration of LAB, the isolates were identified by their morphological and biochemical characteristics and by genotype method. The

Honey bees are the most economically important crop pollinator worldwide. They depend on a diversity of pollen for reproduction and colony growth. However, the influence of landscape composition on diversity and quantity of pollen collection by honey bees remains largely unexplored, particularly in variegated landscapes. Pollen on honey bees was trapped from 41 hives across ten sites in the Western

Information on the mineral composition of geopropolis produced by bees native to the Amazon region is of great importance for the chemical characterization of this product. This study aimed to determine the Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, P, and Zn contents in 22 samples of geopropolis from northern Brazil by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Geopropolis samples were digested

The global number of bees has recently declined. One reason is pathogenic microorganisms including Paenibacillus larvae, which causes American foulbrood disease, and Melissococcus plutonius, which causes European foulbrood disease. The aim of this study was to identify new antimicrobial agents against foulbrood disease. Broth-microdilution assays with 20 natural compounds were used to detect the in

Reduction in the population of pollinators can compromise the stability of natural and agricultural ecosystems. One cause of this reduction is contact between pollinators and pesticides. More specifically, pollen and nectar which contain pesticide residues are carried into the colony, in turn, decreasing the resistance of bees to parasites. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the mortality and

Bee pollen protein was hydrolyzed using the commercial Alcalase, Flavourzyme and Neutrase enzymes. The Neutrase hydrolysate formed from a 1:1 (v/v) enzyme/substrate ratio (NH1) showed the highest nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity. The NH1 was further separated into five fractions based on molecular weight (MW1–5) and MW1, the smallest weight fraction (< 0.65 kDa), possessed the highest

Potential biological threats to honey bees must be identified quickly, before making disruptive and costly decisions. Here we describe numerous Osmia cornifrons (Hymenoptera: Megachillidae) cocoons in honey bee cells from one bee hive in Ohio. The developing Osmia cells presented themselves as a mystery at first, catching the attention of regulatory agencies. Along with identifying this species as

In the present study, we provide data on the biology of Aximopsis masneri, a parasitoid of Euglossa townsendi. We found a nest of E. townsendi built into a knife sheath, in Viçosa/MG/Brazil. The Euglossa nests are difficult to find and maintain in the laboratory, to solve this problem, we used closed brood cells containing prepupa of the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata as hosts. The brood cells

Royal jelly (RJ) is a secretion of the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of young Apis mellifera worker bees. It is privileged for the queen bee as exclusive nourishment for her entire life. This bee hive product was used in traditional and folk medicine for human health care. Recently, there have been several research studies on RJ highlighting their therapeutic properties. It was found that it

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between species of honey bees and properties of their produced honey. Honey samples were obtained during sidr (Ziziphus spp.) season flow in 2017 from the apiary of the Training and Research Station, King Faisal University in the Al-Ahsa oasis of eastern Saudi Arabia. Physical characteristics and chemical composition of the honey produced by

The vicinity of small apiaries to the farms makes honey and bee pollen prone to the contamination with clostridial spores. The possible presence of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) spores in bee products may pose a risk especially to elderly who perceive them as natural remedies in health problems including functional bowel abnormalities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence of C

The small hive beetle (SHB) Aethina tumida Murray, (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae) is an invasive pest of honey bees recently found in Korea. We investigated the influence of temperature on the development and survival of immature SHBs. The beetle’s immature stages were exposed to different constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 37 and 39 °C) under stable and continuous dark conditions and a relative

Scientific observations state that stingless bee honey (Meliponinae) contains a high moisture content (>20% w/w), which contributes to the accelerated fermentation and degradation of this honey. As a strategy to minimize this problem, the use of a thermal treatment may be an option. Therefore, the present study aimed to apply in Tetragonisca angustula honey, temperatures between 52 and 71 °C, with