زنبور عسل

In this experiment, corn syrup was mixed with different feedstuffs and was evaluated in comparison to commercial sucrose fondant paste. Experimental treatments included a commercial fondant sucrose paste, Zarnam corn syrup paste, enriched Zarnam corn syrup paste (treatment 2 plus 0.5% vitamin and mineral supplement), Zarnam corn syrup vegetable paste, vegetable paste enriched with Zarnam corn syrup (Treatment 4 plus 0.5% vitamin and mineral supplement), and sucrose paste. Results showed that the commercial paste treatment had the highest population, and the enriched Zarnam syrup paste treatment had the lowest population (P<0.05). The larval population in all treatments containing Zarnam corn syrup, except the enriched Zarnam corn syrup paste, was similar to the commercial paste  (P<0.05). The highest pupal population was belonged to  commercial paste treatment, which was significantly higher than enriched Zarnam corn syrup paste and sucrose paste (P<0.05). The egg-laying rate of the queen in Zarnam enriched corn syrup plant paste, and sucrose paste treatments was statistically similar to commercial paste, while it was lower in other Zarnam corn syrup treatments (P<0.05). The lowest amount of pollen storage was related to the Zarnam syrup paste treatment, which was significantly lower than other treatments (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between other treatments. Based on the results of this research it can be concluded that it is possible to prepare an enriched herbal paste by combining Zarnam corn syrup with plant materials, mineral and vitamin supplements, with the same effects on production performance of bees as commercial fondant sucrose paste.

One of the most significant advancements in the history of honeybee research was the unveiling of the DNA sequence (genome) of the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) in 2006, which apparently has unlimited applications in unraveling biological secrets, social life, as well as improving health, reproduction, and management of this insect. Honeybee genomics has seen significant growth in the past 14 years. This article examines the role of genomics in enhancing and understanding fundamental aspects of the biological structure of honeybees, including evolutionary origins and health/disease. While genomics has led to growth in various research areas related to honeybee life, it is just a part of a systemic and multi-faceted approach. Furthermore, it is believed that research on honeybees will benefit the most from integrating genomics fully with classical approaches in evolution, behavior, physiology, and microbiology. This information would helps us to find the best solutions to preserve this vital species and to have a better understanding of its social life.

Iran is the third producer of honey in the world with 77 thousand tons of honey, but due to problems, it has a low share in honey exports and income. Therefore, it is very necessary to evaluate these problems. In this study, 15 large beekeepers and 15 small beekeepers were randomly selected from the statistical community of beekeepers in Isfahan province, and questionnaires were provided to them. In this questionnaire, the problems of the beekeeping industry and their solutions were investigated. The research method in terms of variables was the parametric method of descriptive statistics and the method of collecting information was the field method. The collected information was entered into the Excel program, analyzed and the following results were obtained: in large beekeeping units; Under 35 years old, the most; 60% and 22% had university education and no illiteracy, and in small units, the age group was 35-55 years old the most; 47% and 20% had university education and 20% were illiterate. The main problems of beekeepers; lack of support such as insurance, establishment of colonies, obtaining facilities, inappropriate price of honey, shortage; Inputs are transformation industries and production chain of bee products, regional sales centers and export of products, pure genotype of queens, beekeeping trading system. be solutions; The capacity of universities should be used to train skilled and bee expert forces, by creating a production chain of bee products, in addition to solving most of the problems, it will reduce costs and improve the income of beekeepers.

The mites of the genus Tropilaelaps are parasites of honey bee brood. Their Feeding on haemolynph of bee larvae and pupae causes brood malformation, death of bees, and subsequent colony decline or absconding. Their development takes about 1 week and the mites are scattered on the body of the bees. There are at least four species in the genus Tropilaelaps, Each species tends to be associated with a particular bee species. Two species (T. clareae and T. mercedesae) are damaging pests of Apis mellifera. The other two species (T. koenigerum and T. thaii) appear to be harmless to A. mellifera.In this article, an attempt has been made to carefully review the Tropilaelaps mite as a newly emerging parasite from various aspects including the characteristics of the parasite, its life cycle, distribution in the world, methods of diagnosis, treatment, and its potential in the country. It is hoped that by paying special attention to this pest, the entry and spread of this parasite in the country will be prevented and a step forward will be taken toward to progress of beekeeping in the country.

Selective honey bee breeding is a phenomenon that fascinates beekeepers around the world. They often regard it as one of the most enigmatic and complex aspects of beekeeping. Indeed, according to our experiences participating in many international projects, both beekeepers and bee experts without a background in plant or animal breeding often have trouble correctly interpreting and conceptually visualizing the breeding process. These difficulties arise partly because of the complex reproductive biology of honey bees, where queens mate with a multitude of drones. Fundamentally the greatest struggle for people to understand is how selection of animals with preferred characteristics in one generation leads to improved progeny in the next. The leading misconception regarding honey bee breeding is confusing breeding with the simple rearing and multiplication of queens, where individual queens are evaluated predominantly by their egg laying ability and body size. Those two markers of queen quality (fecundity and size) are certainly important for the propagation of queens, but selective breeding requires more than propagation. Selectivebreeding implies the intentional selection for genetic improvement of the population as a whole, with every new generation improved compared to the previous one, ideally for all traits of interest.

Honeybees are very important pollinators and play a vital role in agricultural and natural ecosystems. The quality of their colonies is determined by the queens and the reproductive drones of mother colonies. Therefore, factors affecting drone fecundity will also directly affect progeny at the colony level. Here, we review environmental and bee-related factors that are closely related to drone reproductive ability. The environmental factors that mainly affect the sperm count and the viability of males include temperature, nutrients and pesticides. Based on the results of previous studies, we also suggest that the effects of somatotype dimorphism of males and queens on sperm quality and queen fecundity should be given more attention in further studies.

The purpose of line production is to increase yields and good behavior of bee colonies. Using inheritance, heritability, heritability, genotypic correlation between them, selection line and production are planned. In each line, important traits are measured and the top queens are selected by kinship and performance test. If pure queens intersect with purebred bees, they create a pure line, and if they intersect with other male bees, a hybrid is produced. At least three independent lines are needed to increase heterozygosity and decrease inbreeding. There is a dilemma between choosing an attribute to improve performance and reducing the cost of breeding. In line production, kinship and mixing methods are used, the combination of which is Diallel cross.The purpose of managing bee lines; Maintaining genetic diversity and improving the performance and behavior of bees, reducing colony losses and reducing dependence on drug treatments. By evaluating the offspring, the response rate to selection and genetic progression will be determined. Queens of high-yielding breeds and commercial lines are also valued and sold based on the evaluation of the desired traits. In creating a bee line with high production of royal jelly, first Italian bees were bred and after six generations, a bee line called znd1 was produced with high production of royal jelly and even high honey production. Quantitative genetic advances and the use of molecular markers over 35 years improved the bee line by producing very high royal jelly.

European honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the most important pollinator insects that play vital role in maintenance of all most all life forms on earth. However, over the last decade major concerns have raised due to decline in the population of these insect species. A variety of factors have been responsible for these concerns of which the most important is honey bee bacterial diseases like Nosemosis (Nosema), American and European foulbrood diseases. While, overuse of antibiotics utilized for the treatment and control of these diseases has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains of these pathogens. Probiotics have been considered a suitable substitute of antibiotics in human and animals. In last several years, lactobacillus species isolated from honeybees have been considered of significance in enhancing the life span of honeybees by reducing the incidence of bacterial and viral infections in these tiny insects. Among the isolated microbes in the gut of honeybees, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are of utmost importance showing direct impacts on the health of their host by modulating the gut microbial flora and are termed as Probiotic bacteria.The objective of this research was to isolate and identify LAB from different parts of the intestinal tract of honeybees Apis mellifera and to characterize their probiotic properties.

Twenty-four honeybees collected from the hives located in the city of karaj were analyzed for the presence of LAB species. The stomach contents of honeybees were inoculated into MRS broth, incubated at 37ºCfor 48 hrs. The obtained colonies were purified and identified to species levels phenotypically and geno-typically. Hemolytic activity and sugar fermentation reactions of the isolates were recorded and later subjected 16SrRNA sequencing using a pair of universal primers. The identified isolates were evaluated for their viability in acidic conditions at pH 2.5, 3.0, 4.0 and 6.5 at different time intervals. Bile resistance of the isolates was tested by culturing the isolates in the presence of different concentrations of the said salts (0.5, 0.7 and 1%). Survival of LAB isolates in simulated gastric and intestinal conditions containing different enzymes and bile salts, antibacterial spectrum against a number of gram positive and gram-negative pathogens by agar well diffusion assay, and their in vitro colonization ability (aggregation, co-aggregation and hydrophobicity percentages) were evaluated. The results were analyzed statistically.

Twenty nine gram positive, catalase negative and non-hemolytic colonies were isolated from 24 honeybee samples. Among these, only 7 colonies showed enhanced antibacterial activity and were selected for further studies. Based on phenotypic characteristics, sugar fermentation reactions and 16S rRNA sequencing the isolates were identified as Lactobacillus acidophilus (1), Lacticaseiobacillus casei, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (2), Lactobacillus apis (1), Enterococcus faecium (1) and Pediococcus acidilactici (1). During probiotic characterizations, the identified isolates were shown to retain their viability in acidic conditions and resisted pH 2.5, 3 and 4 for more than 4 hrs. However, slight decrease in viability at pH 2.5 and 3.0 was observed, compared to pH 4.0 and above. All isolates appeared bile resistant and tolerated all used concentrations of bile salts during 8 hrs of incubation. Survival rate of the isolates in simulated intestinal conditions was significantly (p˂0.05) greater compared to simulated gastric conditions indicating greater stability of the isolates to alkaline conditions rather than to acidic conditions. L.acidophilus and E.faecium showed least resistance in gastric conditions and their growth rate was decreased more than 50% under said conditions. In contrast, the growth rate of these two isolates was highest in simulated intestinal conditions as they resisted these conditions for more than 24 hours.  The isolates demonstrated antibacterial affect against a number of tested pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Streprtococcus mutans. The auto-aggregation, and cell surface hydrophobicity percentages of L.casei appeared highest compared to other tested Lactic Acid bacteria in study (p˂0.05), while, L.apis showed the highest co-aggregation with S.typhi strain. P.acidilactici possessed the least auto-aggregation (46%), co-aggregation (10%) and hydrophobicity (43%) percentage. Auto-aggregation ability appeared directly related to hydrophobicity percentages and isolates showing high aggregation ability also showed high hydrophobicity %.

In conclusion, honeybee gut appeared a reservoir of LAB with probiotic potential. It is suggested that further studies should be conducted in order to determine the health benefits of these LABs in honeybees, with especial emphasis on their ability to prevent honeybee diseases.

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of eucalyptus leaf extract and tobacco smoke on Varroa mite using 36 hives over a period of 34 days. In one experimental group, no action was taken to control Varroa mite (control) and other one (positive control) Apistan Strip were placed in hive for 34 days. In the other experimental groups, Varroa mite was controlled using Barley, Basma, Virginia leaf tobacco smoke and Eucalyptus leaf extract in the first five days (first time) and the last four days (second time) during the control period. In the eucalyptus extract treatment, 15 ml of the extract solution (0.1 ml/mg) was sprayed between frames daily. In tobacco leaf smoke treatments (Barley, Basma, Virginia), the amount of 3 g of tobacco leaf was smoked. Tick shedding (daily), the number of larvae in each frame (on days 5 and 34) and the amount of honey (after 150 days) was measured. The main effect showed that mite shedding was higher in eucalyptus leaf extract (10. 3±2.01), Apistan (9.41±2.01) and Virginia tobacco smoke (7.41±2.01) than the control (0±2.01, P

Bees including solitary, social, wild, and managed species are key pollinators of flowering plant species, including nearly three-quarters of global food crops. Their ecological importance, coupled with increased annual losses of managed honey bees and declines in populations of key wild species, has focused attention on the factors that adversely affect bee health, including viral pathogens. Genomic approaches have dramatically expanded understanding of the diversity of viruses that infect bees, the complexity of their transmission routes including intergenus transmission and the diversity of strategies bees have evolved to combat virus infections, with RNA-mediated responses playing a prominent role. Moreover, the impacts of viruses on their hosts are exacerbated by the other major stressors bee populations face, including parasites, poor nutrition, and exposure to chemicals. Unraveling the complex relationships between viruses and their bee hosts will lead to improved understanding of viral ecology and management strategies that support better bee health.

The object of this research was to identify the medicinal plants using by honey bee and determining their attractiveness in the rural rangelands of Chaharbagh, Golestan province. For this purpose, to investigate the honey bee behavior towards medicinal plants, 100 1m2 plots were laid out in the 1500 m around bee keeping point. The canopy cover of each plant was recorded and the species composition was calculated. Three criteria consisting of time, the number of bees and distance from bee keeping point were evaluated. Results showed that the most plant families using by honey bees were Asteraceae equal to 21.62%, Lamiaceae equal to 18.92% and Fabaceae equal to 16.22%. Five plant species of Thymus kotchyanus, Teucrium polium, Astragalus gossypinus, Verbascum phlomoides and Cichorium intybus L. were selected as the dominant medicinal plant species in the study area. The most numbers of bees were in the circle of 500 m from bee keeping point and in the morning the most of bees were using medicinal plants. For the total area, the most attractive plant species was Astragalus gossypinusand and then, Thymus kotchyanus, Verbascum phlomoides, Cichorium intybus L.and Teucrium polium were the attractive plants.

American foulbrood (AFB) is a severe bacterial disease that affects larvae of honey bees (Apis mellifera). The causative agent of AFB is the spore-forming bacteria Paenibacillus larvae. The use of antibiotics for the control of AFB has led to the appearance of resistant bacterial strains and residues in beehive products. Nowadays, antibiotics are legally banned in several countries, and the affected colonies have to be destroyed by burning the hives. Therefore, the development of alternative methods for the control and prevention of AFB is necessary. In this context, different natural strategies based on the application of essential oils, plant extracts, propolis, royal jelly, bacteria, and bacteriocines, have been studied in vitro and in vivo for the prevention and control of P. larvae. The experimental data achieved from these studies are reviewed and discussed in the present review, which intend to be a starting point for future research in the field.

Arasbaran region have high potential in beekeeping because of climatic conditions, high access to water, and high flora diversity. The purpose of this research was to examine the income and problems of rural beekeepers in the path of development.The research data were collected using field observations and semi-structured questionnaire from beekeepers of Arasbaran region. At this study, we will examined the type of species used by honeybee in terms of beekeepers, the process of selling products, the role of beekeeping in household income, the main problems of beekeepers, and the development strategies of this industry. Suitability of beekeeping sites was considered based on four criteria. Some of species were used for honey and propolis production such as Thymus kotschyanus, Verbascum gossypinum, Cirsium arvense, Astragalus spp, Salix babilonica, Populus nigra, and Paliurus spina chiristi. Some of species such as Tulipa schrenkii was fed for pollen production. Results showed that this region in terms of water sources (86%), vegetation cover (63%), distance from road (33%), beekeeping activity period (24%) had high suitability for beekeeping. The average number of beehives per beekeeper was 318. Mean honey production was 19.6 kg per beehives in the Arasbaran region. Honey price varied from 110 to 600 thousand rials based on its quality. Average gross income of beekeepers was estimated about 835 million rials. The main problems of beekeepers were the presence of fake drugs in market (52%) and the lack of access for appropriate drugs for the treatment of diseases.

The purpose of this study was survey on management conditions and proper management of apiaries located on the east of mazandaran province. This study was conducted out, at 2016, in eastern counties of this province, from savadkooh to galoogah. The statistical population of this region makes up 2027 beekeepers, and 215 beekeepers were selected for getting samples. Needed information collected via questionnaires papers, and data analyzed by SPSS software. The Results of this study show, there is no statistics significant difference between seven counties, for variables pulp of the pollen and swarming (p>0.05). Also results from these seven counties show, there is statistically significant difference, for amount of honey production, number of employers, amount of syrup, annually bee wax consumptions, number of hives, population of the hives in spring and winter death (p

Vitamins constitute an important subject in honey bee nutrition and are necessary for brood development. Vitamin E is one of the most essential vitamins for the majority of herbivorous insects such as honey bee, and plays an important role in its life. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of its various level of vitamin E on population size, honey production and best stability winter in honey bee colonies in 3 step experimental in Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Karaj Honey Bee fraction were studied. In this experiment after making the uniform colonies in spring for population, brood area and food accumulation. Equalization of colonies for stored honey and stored pollen were repeated in spring. In late April four concentrations of vitamin E in sugar syrup (20, 30 and 40ppm) were given to colonies in a Complete Randomized Design with 4 treatments and 4 replication, Adult population and honey production were evaluated and obtained data have been analyzed by SAS software, PROC ANOVA and were grouped by Duncan’s test.
Experiment first step on April (abound pollen), second step on July (deficiency pollen) and third step on January (absence pollen) completed.
In first step for measurement same population during 30 days, feeding of colonies was carried out every 5 days and received one liter of syrup in each time, second step for measurement honey production and third step for same stability winter.
Obtained results showed a significant difference in honey production (P

Today royal jelly production is a part of beekeeping industry.
The research was conducted in order to survey possibility of royal jelly production in Iranian beekeeping system.
20 honey bee colonies containing one year old sister queens and same contents of the hive were divided into 2 groups, randomly. Natural queen cells of control colonies removed in order to prevent swarming. Other group colonies organized using integrated usual swarm control methods and 4-hour method to produce queen. The grafted cells were introduced to these colonies in three times and in each time the organization of the hive contents was changed. At the end of each stage, number of accepted cells and amount of produced royal jelly was recorded.
The total number of accepted cells was 216.1, and amount of harvested jelly 273.67mg/cell or59.33gr/hive in 3 stages. There was no significant difference between groups from the view point of honey yields.
Generally, this trial showed that using this procedure we can produce a significant amount of royal jelly from the hives, as well as control of swarming.

European foulbrood is a bacterial disease that effects honey bee larvae before the capped stage. European foulbrood disease is characterized by dead and dying larvae which can appear curled upwards, brown or yellow, melted, and/or dried out and rubbery. The causative bacteria, Melissococcus plutonius is ingested by honey bee larvae after which the bacterium competes for food inside the larvae. If the bacteria out-competes the larva, the larva will die before the cell is capped. Alternatively, the bee may survive until adulthood if the larvae has sufficient food resources. European foulbrood should not be confused with American foulbrood (AFB), which is caused by a different bacteria that produces different symptoms and control requirements. European foulbrood disease is considered to be more problematic in situations where forage nectar is sporadic, or other situations that result in fewer nurse bees in colonies to feed larvae. At the onset of nectar flow in early spring, forage recruitment of house bees may increase rapidly resulting in few bees in colonies to feed honey bee larvae. Often, when the nurse bee to larvae ratio stabilizes later in the season, or remains stable throughout a season, symptoms disappear. However, this disease can occur throughout a season and will sometimes not clear up on its own. In severe cases, colony death can occur. Also, yearly reoccurrence of EFB from contaminated combs and equipment can occur. The bacteria that causes EFB does not produce spores, but combs contaminated with the bacteria can still reinfect honey bees in subsequent years.

Although phenotypic treat show direct genetic variation, the present study was to identify and study genetic diversity in populations of honey bees that is an important goal in bee breeding. Thus, colony samples of honeybees were collected from 16 different provinces of iran randomly in autumn season of the year 93. Colony grouping was studied based on morphological traits using cluster analysis (PCA) and the least variance (WARD) methods. The results indicated that there was a correlation between front wings width or trunk and the antennae or front foot, the b index and diameter, d18 angle and d7 angle and also all mentioned trait had correlation with front wings in probability level of P

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies are important pollinators in agricultural settings worldwide and in many natural ecosystems. honey bee products، such as honey، wax، royal jelly، propolis are economically very important buthoney bees are attacked by numerous parasites and pathogens toward which they present a variety of individual and group-level defenses، also show behavioral mechanisms for reducing the disease risk of their nest mates. Accordingly، we discuss the dynamics of hygienic behavior and other group-level behaviors that can limit diseases. These group-level dynamics، labeled ‘social immunity ’provide an underappreciated benefit of living in crowded social groups with respect to reduction of diseases. Behavioral defenses in honey bee included: Hygienic behavior، sting behavior and Pheromones. Hive products such as honey، royal jelly، propolis، each of which has antimicrobial properties. The first step of defensesis behavioral mechanisms. The next line of defense is the skin chitin and then hemolymph. Vertebrates، including the human، have both innate and adaptive immunity with ‘immunological memory’، whereas insects do not possess the ability to produce antibodies. Although antigenic memory appears to be lacking، insects possess innate immunity which is characterized by non-specific immune reactions against invading pathogens. The defense mechanism in insects consists of cellular and humoral immunity. Cellular immunity Included: phagocytosis، nodule formation، encapsulation،coagulation and wound healing. Humoral immunity consist Pattern Recognition Proteins، prophenoloxidase system، antimicrobial peptides. All of these factors can reduce the impacts of pathogenic bacteria، fungi and parasites. Some diets and plant extracts can influence immune system and improve health of honey bee colonies.

The uses of honey bee products, especially honey, in medicine go back thousands years ago in ancient Egypt, Greece and China. In many religious texts such as the Quran, Veda and Bible, the nutritional and medicinal properties of honey are mentioned. Medicinal properties of beeswax and propolis have long been, while recently attention to royal jelly and bee venom increased. Honey, pollen and royal jelly are very important at the point of Supplying nutritional requirements. In comparison with synthetic drugs, bee products have multiple healing properties but fewer side effects. Nowadays, with increase in public knowledge uses of bee products will increase.