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Insects
Special Issues
Bee Health and Beehive Management in a Changing World
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Bee Health and Beehive Management in a Changing World

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Insects and Apiculture".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 August 2025 | Viewed by 7454

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ethel M. Villalobos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, 3050 Maile Way, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
Interests: bee viruses; bee diet; bee health; pollination; behavior; ecology
Dr. Micaela Buteler

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medio Ambiente (INIBIOMA), Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Pasaje Gutiérrez 1125, San Carlos de Bariloche 8400, Río Negro, Argentina
Interests: agricultural entomology; integrated pest management; chemical ecology; insect behavior; microplastic monitoring and toxicity; bee heath and behavior; plant protection

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We live in a changing world where bees are being challenged by climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pesticides, contaminants and pests, among others. Therefore, research studies and reviews on bee health, bee management practices, and bee pests are welcome for submission to this Special Issue of Insects. Papers that consider novel aspects of bee health and hive management, bee stressors and pests, as well as the impact of these on pollination are welcome. We welcome research papers studying all types of bees, including bumblebees, stingless, and solitary bees.

Dr. Ethel M. Villalobos
Dr. Micaela Buteler
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • honeybee health
  • hive management
  • bee pests
  • toxicity
  • insecticides
  • insect behavior
  • insect pest management

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1786 KiB  
Article
A Little Peek May Be Enough: How Small Hive Beetle Estimates Can Help Address Immediate Colony Management Needs
by Ethel M. Villalobos, Luis Medina Medina, Zhening Zhang, Scott Nikaido, Emanuel Miranda, Jason Wong, Jessika Santamaria and Micaela Buteler
Insects 2025, 16(5), 517; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050517 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 447
Abstract
Due to the ongoing global spread of the small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, there is a significant need for detection and practical management strategies against this pest. The standard inspection strategies for SHBs involve (1) detailed visual examination of the colony, [...] Read more.
Due to the ongoing global spread of the small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, there is a significant need for detection and practical management strategies against this pest. The standard inspection strategies for SHBs involve (1) detailed visual examination of the colony, which is challenging in areas with defensive bees, or (2) sampling beetles via traps, which requires repeated visits to the apiary and can be difficult for beekeepers with apiaries in rural areas. In this study, we modified the inspection sequence to examine the in-hive distribution of the beetle and assess whether a limited, yet targeted, inspection could provide valuable information on beetle infestation. We conducted our modified sampling in three different countries: Hawai’i (USA), Mexico, and Costa Rica. We found that targeted screening of the top areas of the hive (cover and top-side frames) provided reliable information about the relative prevalence of SHBs in a colony. The results also suggested that SHBs do not naturally congregate on a bare bottom board but migrate downward during inspection. Trap placement on the bottom floor of the hive may underestimate beetle presence in low to medium pest levels. The proposed inspection protocol is not influenced by the genetic origin of the bees (Africanized or European) and could be a practical alternative for assessing SHB infestation levels in honeybee colonies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Health and Beehive Management in a Changing World)
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16 pages, 3433 KiB  
Article
Azoxystrobin-Induced Physiological and Biochemical Alterations in Apis mellifera Workers of Different Ages
by Xinle Duan, Wenlong Tong, Bingfang Tao, Huanjing Yao, Manqiong Xiong, Huiping Liu, Shaokang Huang and Jianghong Li
Insects 2025, 16(5), 449; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050449 - 24 Apr 2025
Viewed by 608
Abstract
Fungal diseases of agricultural crops cause severe economic losses to the growers. For the control of these diseases, azoxystrobin is one of the recommended fungicides. This fungicide is systemic in action and is expected to reach the floral part of the treated crop [...] Read more.
Fungal diseases of agricultural crops cause severe economic losses to the growers. For the control of these diseases, azoxystrobin is one of the recommended fungicides. This fungicide is systemic in action and is expected to reach the floral part of the treated crop and its residue in the pollen and nectar, the natural food sources of honey bees, which could be collected and fed on by honey bees, thus affecting their health. The purpose of this study was to determine the physiological and chemical changes caused by this fungicide in honey bee workers (Apis mellifera L). Workers of this honey bee at 1, 8, and 21 days old were treated with 125, 167, and 250 mg/L concentrations of azoxystrobin for seven days; their survival rates, activities of carboxylesterase (CarE), glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP450), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes, and the expression levels of immune (Aba, Api, Def1, and Hym) and nutrition genes (Ilp1, Ilp2, and Vg) were detected. Our findings revealed that azoxystrobin affected the survival of workers, particularly 1- and 21-day-old workers, who responded to azoxystrobin stress with increased activities of detoxification and protective enzymes, which might have physiological costs. Additionally, azoxystrobin affected the expression of immune and nutrition genes, with a decreased expression trend in 21-day-old workers compared to the 1- and 8-day-old workers, leading to reduced resistance to external stressors and increased mortality rates. These findings provide important insights into the adverse effects of azoxystrobin on workers of different ages and emphasize the potential risks of this chemical to colony stability and individual health. This study recommends an urgent ban on such a harmful fungicide being used for fungi control in agriculture, especially during plant flowering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Health and Beehive Management in a Changing World)
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17 pages, 903 KiB  
Article
Adapting Overwintering Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Colony Management in Response to Warmer Fall Temperatures Associated with Climate Change
by Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman, Henry Graham, Vanessa Corby-Harris, Mona Chambers, Emily Watkins-deJong, Kate Ihle and Lanie Bilodeau
Insects 2025, 16(3), 266; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16030266 - 4 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1106
Abstract
Management strategies are needed that mitigate the effects of climate change on honey bee colony losses. Extended periods of warmer fall temperatures prolong periods of honey bee flight and parasitic Varroa mite immigration into colonies. We report on a management strategy using Varroa-resistant [...] Read more.
Management strategies are needed that mitigate the effects of climate change on honey bee colony losses. Extended periods of warmer fall temperatures prolong periods of honey bee flight and parasitic Varroa mite immigration into colonies. We report on a management strategy using Varroa-resistant Russian honey bees overwintered in indoor cold storage facilities, and compare colony survival and growth with that of unselected European bees. Fat body metrics that are key to overwintering survival were also measured in Russian and unselected bees. Comparisons between overwintering Russian colonies in cold storage versus apiaries were also conducted. Russian and unselected colonies overwintered in cold storage had comparable overwintering survival and percentages rented for almond pollination. However, more Russian colonies overwintered in cold storage were alive after almond bloom than those overwintered in apiaries. Fat bodies in Russian and unselected bees gained weight while in cold storage. Protein concentrations increased and lipids decreased. Changes in lipid concentrations were inversely related to the number of brood bees reared while in cold storage. Similar percentages of colonies overwintered in cold storage or outdoor apiaries survived and were rented for almond pollination. An economic analysis indicated that overwintering Russian colonies in cold storage costs less than in apiaries. Our study indicates that cold storage can be a viable management strategy for mitigating the effects of climate change on colony survival. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Health and Beehive Management in a Changing World)
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16 pages, 3575 KiB  
Article
Field Exploration for Colony Selection: Evaluating Hygienic Behavior in Apis cerana indica Colonies
by Ramkumar Haran, Ettiappan Sumathi, Javaid Iqbal, Sivakumar Krupesh, Ganesan Parthasarathi, Settu Vijay, Vangili Ramasami Saminathan, Madapuji Rajagopalan Srinivasan, Eswaran Kokiladevi, Mannu Jayakanthan and Ali Zeshan
Insects 2024, 15(8), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15080598 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1778
Abstract
Hygienic behavior (HB) emerges as a pivotal trait, impacting colony resistance to diseases. This study aimed to understand the behavioral traits of Apis cerana indica colonies, with a focus on HB and other key characteristics crucial for colony health, and to screen and [...] Read more.
Hygienic behavior (HB) emerges as a pivotal trait, impacting colony resistance to diseases. This study aimed to understand the behavioral traits of Apis cerana indica colonies, with a focus on HB and other key characteristics crucial for colony health, and to screen and identify colonies with superior hygienic behavior and better performance to combat prevailing diseases and pests. This research spans a comprehensive field analysis with different seasons and locations, encompassing the distinct environmental and management factors that influence honey bee behavior. The inclusion of A. cerana indica colonies from various locations provides a novel perspective, offering valuable insights regarding the hygienic behavior of A. cerana indica. Several statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), and Aligned Rank Transformation-Analysis of Variance (ART-ANOVA) for repeated measures, shed light on the distribution of hive metrics, emphasizing the significance of considering seasonality and location-specific factors. PCA highlights unique characteristics in Tirupur and Coimbatore colonies, while correlation analyses uncover relationships among HB, honey, pollen, brood area, and adult population. Moreover, the study’s nuanced findings gave the status of hygienic behavior of A. cerana indica colonies and identified colonies with better colony performance, which will be useful for future breeding programs with A. cerana indica. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Health and Beehive Management in a Changing World)
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Review

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22 pages, 7273 KiB  
Review
Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia
by Eric Guerin, Chhouk Chheang, Chainarong Sinpoo, Korrawat Attasopa, Nuttapol Noirungsee, Huoqing Zheng, Tial C. Ling, Patcharin Phokasem and Terd Disayathanoowat
Insects 2025, 16(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16010039 - 3 Jan 2025
Viewed by 2654
Abstract
The four honeybee species native to Cambodia—Apis dorsata, Apis cerana, Apis florea, and Apis andreniformis—play a vital role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity through their pollination activities. Beekeeping in Cambodia has primarily developed around the introduced species [...] Read more.
The four honeybee species native to Cambodia—Apis dorsata, Apis cerana, Apis florea, and Apis andreniformis—play a vital role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity through their pollination activities. Beekeeping in Cambodia has primarily developed around the introduced species Apis mellifera. However, it remains underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries, with wild honey collection continuing to play a significant role. Although native bees are not at immediate risk of extinction, their crucial ecological and socio-economic roles, coupled with the threats to their populations, necessitate the urgent implementation of conservation policies. The beekeeping sector in Cambodia faces numerous challenges that hinder its development. These include a lack of documentation and official data, limited access to productive apiaries, inappropriate pesticide practices, insufficient knowledge about bee health, diseases, and parasites, inadequate organization and representation of beekeepers, the high cost of Cambodian honey, and a lack of consumer awareness and trust in local bee products. This paper provides an overview of the status and distribution of honeybee species, along with the production, value chain, and trade of bee products in Cambodia. It examines the challenges of conserving native honeybees and developing the beekeeping sector while proposing strategies to strengthen bee conservation and support the growth of beekeeping in the country. Key recommendations focus on integrating bee conservation strategies with broader conservation goals, such as reducing deforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and regulating the consumption of wild bee brood. Key strategies for the development of beekeeping are documenting and conserving bee floral resources and habitats, reducing the use of bee-toxic pesticides, developing research and training capacities in beekeeping, regulating bee imports, and enhancing quality and authenticity testing facilities. Additionally, building capacity among honey value chain stakeholders in areas such as quality control, authenticity, processing, packaging, and marketing is essential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bee Health and Beehive Management in a Changing World)
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