Search Results (37)

In the context of increasing urbanisation, the question arises as to whether urban environments can provide honeybee colonies with floral resources comparable to those available in rural areas. The present study sought to evaluate the impact of land cover on nectar collection by bees in urban and rural apiaries. To this end, changes in the mass of 10 hives located in five urban–rural site pairs were monitored over two years (2021–2022) to assess nectar yield, weight loss, and the number of foraging days. The 3 km surroundings of each apiary were analysed using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery from the S2GLC-PL (National Satellite Information System 2025). The analysis identified eight distinct land cover classes: anthropogenic, agricultural, broad-leaved forest, coniferous forest, grassland, shrubs, wetlands, and water bodies. The findings revealed no statistically significant variation in the total nectar collected between urban and rural colonies (72.9 kg vs. 64.5 kg; p > 0.6). However, urban colonies exhibited a significantly higher number of foraging days (67 vs. 56). No significant correlations were identified between specific land cover types and nectar yield. Principal component analysis (PCA) and clustering revealed distinct landscape gradients, yet these did not influence nectar collection. The findings of this study indicate that diverse urban environments have the capacity to support beekeeping to a similar extent as rural areas and may even have superior conditions, provided that the continuity and diversity of nectar plants are maintained. Full article

Aethina tumida, commonly known as the small hive beetle, poses a threat to honeybee populations, particularly Apis mellifera, across several European regions. Originating in sub-Saharan Africa, there is a risk of the infestation spreading from Calabria, a region in the south of Italy. The essential role played by Apis spp. in pollination biodiversity preservation, agricultural productivity, and the overall economy is related to the dangers posed by the invasion of Aethina tumida. Current detection methods often fail to identify infestations early, leading to significant colony losses. We focused on creating a biosensor to improve the detection of Kodamaea ohmeri, a recently identified yeast that coexists symbiotically with Aethina tumida. The biosensor was designed to exploit the highly sensitive quartz crystal microbalance to identify a specific peptide linked to Kodamaea ohmeri in honey specimens. Its gold-plated surface over quartz was functionalized with an antibody effective in recognizing the peptide associated with Kodamaea ohmeri, a potential warning for detecting Aethina tumida. Preliminary results support the possibility of using such biosensor technology to detect infestation and enhance colony management techniques for honeybees, enabling beekeepers to implement prompt and focused treatments. In addition, reducing the size and cost of these biosensors and offering user training would be very helpful in having them used in beekeeping. Full article

Honeybees provide a variety of services and products that are beneficial to humans, including pollination, honey, propolis, and other harvested products. In South Africa, it is believed that honey harvesting from wild (unmanaged) honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies is widely practiced. However, there is limited knowledge regarding this practice. Using structured questionnaire surveys and site visits for validation, we aimed to (1) confirm the practice of honey harvesting and ascertain the extent to which it is practiced; and (2) quantify the economic benefits of this practice to communities’ livelihoods. We found that honey and other products (i.e., brood and pollen) harvesting from wild honeybee colonies is still a common practice among the rural communities of selected areas within the Vhembe District, which was confirmed by 44% of the respondents. These products are either consumed by the harvesters or sold, helping to generate total household incomes ranging from R500.00 ($26USD) to R2000.00 ($112USD) South African Rands (ZAR), which contribute towards offsetting various household costs. Although the overall population and health status of the wild honeybees in the area is unknown, the survey respondents (29%) indicated that they are generally healthy. From these findings, we were able to establish a good level of dependence on wild honeybee colonies by rural communities for income generation, albeit at a small scale. Given the wide array of pressures on insect pollinators, particularly honeybees, from factors such as habitat loss, climate change, pests, pathogens, and pesticides, our findings serve as a strong basis for considering protection and preservation mechanisms for these populations. These could be accommodated under various local and provincial conservation efforts, especially those preventing habitat loss. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing pressure from pathogens and parasites on Apis mellifera populations is resulting in significant colony losses. It is desirable to identify resistance-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and their variability for the purpose of breeding resilient honeybee lines. This study examined the genetic diversity of 13 SNPs previously studied for associations with various resistance-providing traits, including six linked to Varroa-specific hygiene, five linked to suppressed mite reproduction, one linked to immune response, and one linked to chalkbrood resistance. Methods: Genotyping was performed using a novel SNaPshot genotyping panel designed for this study. The sample pool consisted of 308 honeybee samples in total, covering all 77 administrative districts of the Czech Republic. Results: All examined loci were polymorphic. The frequency of positive alleles in our population is medium to low, depending on the specific SNP. An analysis of genotype frequencies revealed that most loci exhibited the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. A comparison of the allele and genotype frequencies of the same locus between samples from hives and samples from flowers revealed no significant differences. The genetic diversity, as indicated by the heterozygosity values, ranged from 0.05 to 0.50. The fixation index (F) was, on average, close to zero, indicating minimal influence of inbreeding or non-random mating on the genetic structure of the analyzed samples. Conclusions: The obtained results provide further insights into the genetic variation of SNPs associated with the immune response and resistance to pathogens in honeybee populations in the Czech Republic. This research provides a valuable foundation for future studies of honeybee diversity and breeding. Full article

The bioaccumulation of pesticides in honeybee products (HBPs) should be studied for a number of reasons. The presence of pesticides in HBPs can provide new data on the risk related to the use of pesticides and their role in bee colony losses. Moreover, the degree of contamination of HBPs can lower their quality, weaken their beneficial properties, and, in consequence, may endanger human health. The aim of this study was to quantify a broad range of pesticide residues in three different HBPs—bee pollen, propolis, and royal jelly. Samples were collected in the years 2017–2019 from the apiary in west-central Poland. Bee products were analyzed for the presence of over 550 pesticides using the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) method. Twenty-nine of the contaminants were quantified at least in one of the samples. Nine of them exceeded the maximum residue levels for honey. It should be noted that any dose of pesticides can cause a health hazard due to toxicity, since these substances may act synergistically. This current study revealed the high need for the pesticide monitoring of HBPs and proved that there is a need to expand the European Union Pesticides Database to include more HBPs. Full article

The presence of the Varroa destructor mite requires the use of acaricide treatments for honeybee colonies. Amitraz is one of the most common acaricide-active ingredients used by beekeepers. Certain Varroa mite populations have developed resistance to amitraz, thereby leading to a loss in the efficacy of amitraz-based treatments. Two products, Apivar and Supatraz, were applied in the same apiary in France to evaluate their efficacy. Both treatments are amitraz-based but have different galenics. Thanks to field data, a dynamic model was used to simulate the actions of Apivar and Supatraz on the mite population. We considered two parameters to compare the products as follows: the daily mortality rate and the treatment duration. In the field, the percentage of the efficacy of the two products was not significantly different, but Supatraz kills mites faster and decreases 90% of the mite infestation in 28.4 days compared with 50.9 days when using Apivar. Through modeling, we showed the daily impact of the two different products on mite population. Supatraz has a higher daily mortality rate during the first two weeks than Apivar. Supatraz requires a lower efficacy (% of varroa mites killed during all the treatment) to stabilize the varroa mite population due to its faster release of active ingredients than Apivar, thereby needing a shorter period to achieve the same result. Depending on the model, Supatraz conserves effective efficacy when used against moderately resistant mites (with mite mortality being 40–70% at the LC90) but not against highly resistant mites (with mite mortality being <40% at the LC90). These results show that the comparison of the efficacy of the two products with different characteristics (duration of treatment and daily mortality rate) should be analyzed with caution. Full article

Varroa destructor is currently considered the parasite that causes the greatest damage and economic losses to honeybee farms. Its presence is often associated with that of viral and bacterial pathogens, which ultimately leads to colony collapse. Careful control of the parasitic load is therefore necessary to avoid the onset of these events. Although chemical treatments are often in easily and quickly administered formulations, in recent years, there have been increasingly frequent reports of the onset of drug resistance phenomena, which must lead to reconsidering their use. Furthermore, chemical compounds can easily accumulate in the food matrices of the hive, with possible risks for the final consumer. In such a condition, it is imperative to find alternative treatment solutions. Essential oils (EOs) prove to be promising candidates due to their good efficacy and good environmental biodegradability. In this study, the acaricidal efficacy of the EOs of Calamintha sylvatica Bromf., Calamintha nepeta Savi, Lavandula austroapennina N.G. Passal. Tundis & Upson and Mentha piperita L., extracted from botanical species belonging to the Lamiaceae family, was evaluated. The test chosen for the evaluation was residual toxicity by contact. The examined EOs were diluted in Acetone to a concentration of 2, 1 and 0.5 mg/mL. At the highest concentration, the EOs demonstrated an acaricidal activity equal to 52% for C. nepeta, 60% for C. sylvatica, 80% for L. austroapennina and 68% for M. piperita. Of the EOs tested, therefore, Lavender proves to be a good candidate for subsequent evaluations in semi-field and field studies. Full article

Honeybees are reported to be the most vital pollinators of agricultural and horticultural crops. However, their widespread decline has raised great attention to the need to monitor their activity in order to identify the causes and implement countermeasures. The recording and analysis of signals used by honeybees for their communication in their hive can be a very helpful tool to the beekeepers for the remote control of the hives. Thus, in the present study, we used a set of sound recording data taken inside the hives to automatically detect the sounds of the bees over a certain period, to distinguish between queenright and queenless states, and to find the gradual changes in the queenless state. Unlike what was commonly believed, noticeable changes in the sound signals of all experimental colonies were observed just one hour after the queens’ removal from the hive, while the sound signals were intensified over a period of 5 h, after which the transmitted signal stabilized to the equivalent of a queenless state. The colonies seemed to return to their normal sounds 9–10 days after the reintroduction of the queens in the hives. Our study concluded that timely intervention of the queen’s absence combined with the immediate intervention of the beekeeper may be a determining factor in mitigating the adverse effects that occur from the queen’s loss. Full article

Beekeeping in Ireland has been strongly impacted by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, whose introduction caused alarming honeybee colony losses. If unmitigated, these losses could lead to the disappearance of the native honeybee subspecies, Apis mellifera mellifera, with severe consequences for local biodiversity. Although beekeepers play a pivotal role in mitigating this crisis, beekeeping in Ireland is less intensive compared to other European regions, lacking significant infrastructure or support. These circumstances offer a unique opportunity for the development of national programmes that promote sustainable beekeeping practices for varroa control. Notably, local accounts highlight an increasing number of beekeepers successfully managing colonies in the absence of treatments, indicating a potential avenue for developing varroa-resistant stocks through selection of local colonies. Through a survey, we explored beekeeper’s opinions and attitudes towards future national projects focused on the development of sustainable beekeeping practices and selection for varroa resistance. The findings confirm the hobbyist nature of Irish beekeepers and their preference for the native honey bee. Some beekeepers were reported to be effectively controlling varroa without treatment, yielding comparable survivals to those using treatments. The majority expressed preference towards a varroa-resistant line if it were of native origin; a few were open to importing non-Irish lines. Overall, a strong willingness to participate in a national breeding programme was expressed. These findings highlight a prime opportunity for Ireland to establish a community-driven strategy based on sustainable beekeeping practices for safeguarding native honeybees and local biodiversity. Full article

Varroa destructor infestation is a major factor leading to the global decline of honeybee populations. Monitoring the level of Varroa mite infestation in order to take timely control measures is crucial for the protection of bee colonies. Machine vision systems can achieve non-invasive Varroa mite detection on bee colonies, but it is challenged by two factors: the complex dynamic scenes of honeybees and small-scale and limited data on Varroa destructor. We design a convolutional neural network integrated with machine vision to solve these problems. To address the first challenge, we separate the image of the honeybee from its surroundings using a segmentation network, and the object-detection network YOLOX detects Varroa mites within the segmented regions. This collaboration between segmentation and object detection allows for more precise detection and reduces false positives. To handle the second challenge, we add a Coordinate Attention (CA) mechanism in YOLOX to extract a more discriminative representation of Varroa destructor and improve the confidence loss function to alleviate the problem of class imbalance. The experimental results in the bee farm showed that the evaluation metrics of our model are better than other models. Our network’s detection value for the percentage of honeybees infested with Varroa mites is 1.13%, which is the closest to the true value of 1.19% among all the detection values. Full article

Honeybees are vital to both the agricultural industry and the wider ecological system, most importantly for their role as major pollinators of flowering plants, many of which are food crops. Honeybee colonies are dependent on having a healthy queen for their long-term survival since the queen bee is the only reproductive female in the colony. Thus, as the death or loss of the queen is of great negative impact for the well-being of a honeybee colony, beekeepers need to be aware if a queen has died in any of their hives so that appropriate remedial action can be taken. In this paper, we describe our approaches to using acoustic signals recorded in beehives and machine learning algorithms to identify whether beehives do or do not contain a healthy queen. Our results are extremely positive and should help beekeepers decide whether intervention is needed to preserve the colony in each of their hives. Full article

Climate change, loss of plant biodiversity, burdens caused by new pathogens, predators, and toxins due to human disturbance and activity are significant causes of the loss of bee colonies and wild bees. The aim of this review is to highlight some possible strategies that could help develop bee resilience in facing their changing environments. Scientists underline the importance of the links between nutrition, microbiota, and immune and neuroendocrine stress resistance of bees. Nutrition with special care for plant-derived molecules may play a major role in bee colony health. Studies have highlighted the importance of pollen, essential oils, plant resins, and leaves or fungi as sources of fundamental nutrients for the development and longevity of a honeybee colony. The microbiota is also considered as a key factor in bee physiology and a cornerstone between nutrition, metabolism, growth, health, and pathogen resistance. Another stressor is the varroa mite parasite. This parasite is a major concern for beekeepers and needs specific strategies to reduce its severe impact on honeybees. Here we discuss how helping bees to thrive, especially through changing environments, is of great concern for beekeepers and scientists. Full article

The Italian beekeeping industry has grown steadily during the last decade, according to data from the national beekeeping registry, which came into existence in February 2015. Winter colony losses remain a matter of concern for beekeepers in Italy, and administration of the questionnaire defined by the Coloss Association could contribute to a better understanding of this phenomenon. To evaluate the percentage trends over time in honeybee colony losses arising from various causes, we used the quasi-binomial generalized linear modelling (GzLM) approach, taking the year as an independent variable. We set our level of significance at 5% and performed the data analysis only for the seven regions that sent data continuously from 2014 to 2020. We considered the percentage of losses due to queen-related problems, natural disasters, and dead or empty colonies, given that these questions remained unchanged over the years. The survey also revealed that the percentage trend for respondents using drone brood removal showed a significant increase. In general, the percentage of colony losses due to queen-related problems remained lower than 8%, and the percentage of colony losses associated with natural disasters was very low (<2%). The mean percentages of losses due to dead or empty colonies ranged from 6 to 17% in the considered period. In addition, we took account of the responses relating to treatments against Varroa mite infestation, given the importance attributed to this honeybee parasite. Unlike the other variables, we calculated the percentages related to the types of beekeeper treatments against Varroa destructor based on the respondents, not on the colonies. What emerged was that almost every beekeeper used at least one type of treatment against V. destructor. In general, the trend of respondents appeared stable at 0.3% during the last four years. Full article

The European honeybee contributes to the agriculture by its pollination; however, the overwintering loss rate over the last decades is worrisome. Varroa destructor is considered one of the most important causes of bee colony declines. This project aims to correlate the infestation by varroa to the hemolymph sugar concentrations and bacterial and viral coinfections. Six highly infested and six control hives were compared over time. Pooled hemolymph samples from honeybees were collected for sugar concentration measurements using a previously validated portable glucometer. The hemolymph samples were submitted for bacteriology. Multiplex RT-PCR analysis was performed on honeybees for six viruses: DWV-A, DWV-B, BQCV, ABPV, KBV, and IAPV. There was also no predominance of pathogenic bacteria. In September, sugar concentrations in hemolymph were significantly lower in highly infested hives than in control hives. Infested hives showed markedly higher viral loads except for ABPV. DWV-A and BQCV viral loads from highly infested hives were significantly higher in September compared to July. A continued and severe exposure to varroa leads to increased viral charges and decreased sugar concentrations, suggesting alterations in immunity, metabolism, and reserve mobilization. These parameters contribute to the weakening and mortality of the colonies. Full article

Nosema ceranae is a highly prevalent intracellular parasite of honey bees’ midgut worldwide. This Microsporidium was monitored during a long-term study to evaluate the infection at apiary and intra-colony levels in six apiaries in four Mediterranean countries (France, Israel, Portugal, and Spain). Parameters on colony strength, honey production, beekeeping management, and climate were also recorded. Except for São Miguel (Azores, Portugal), all apiaries were positive for N. ceranae, with the lowest prevalence in mainland France and the highest intra-colony infection in Israel. A negative correlation between intra-colony infection and colony strength was observed in Spain and mainland Portugal. In these two apiaries, the queen replacement also influenced the infection levels. The highest colony losses occurred in mainland France and Spain, although they did not correlate with the Nosema infection levels, as parasitism was low in France and high in Spain. These results suggest that both the effects and the level of N. ceranae infection depends on location and beekeeping conditions. Further studies on host-parasite coevolution, and perhaps the interactions with other pathogens and the role of honey bee genetics, could assist in understanding the difference between nosemosis disease and infection, to develop appropriate strategies for its control. Full article