THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO APICULTURE,ITS IMPORTANCE,HONEYBEE SPECIES AND THEIR CASTE SYSTEMS

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO APICULTURE,ITS IMPORTANCE,HONEYBEE SPECIES AND THEIR CASTE SYSTEMS

Introduction:

Beekeeping or Apiculture refers to the art and science of domestication of Bees for the production of honey, propolis, and wax for the benefit of man and industries. Or,The raising and care of bees for commercial or agricultural purposes. The Honey bee (Apis mellifera) are social insects that have the potential to make honey that is beneficial to man and industrials. The bees can live together in a group called a colony, a colony of bees is estimated to contain about 10000 to 60000 bees occupying a particular hive. There are different species of bees, however, honeybees are beneficial to man due to their ability to produce sweet honey.

               Domestication of bees is a lucrative enterprise that requires little knowledge and management skills to succeed. Bee products such as honey, wax, and propolis are in high demand in local markets as farmers are not required to travel to farm markets to sell their products. Beekeeping or farming can be carried out on a small or large scale depending on the choice of the farmers. The enterprises require little or no capital, technologies, and techniques to start–up compared to other agricultural enterprises. However, the success of bee farming or keeping is dependent on the agroecological zones. Bees have a preference for areas rich with fauna, flora, and dry climates.

Importance of Apiculture:

1. Source of Honey Used as Food

  • Bee produces honey which serves as food for man and animals. Honey produced by bees is highly nutritious and required for normal body functions.
  • Honey is a nourishing food needed by people to provide the energy requirement for daily activities. The human body requires a lot of protein and honey can provide enormously rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, beneficial fatty acids, carotenoids, and bioflavonoids which have anti-viral and antibacterial properties needed by the body.
  • Also honey can help to lower the body’s cholesterol, stabilizing and strengthening blood capillaries. It is often referred to as a ‘lifesaver’ for individuals with critical health risks.
  • Additionally, Honey produced by bees can be used as sweeteners in many foods across the globe such as pap, custard, tea, and so on. Individuals with high levels of sugar blood content can use honey as a substitute to refined sugar.

2. Sources of Income for People:

  • Beekeeping has become a means of livelihood for people involved in bee production. it is a lucrative enterprise that can help people generate income from the sales of honey and its by-products. 
  • Also, Bee dealers generate income from the sale of homey, wax, and propolis. Bee producers or keepers generate millions of naira from the sales of honey and honey by-products.
  • Moreover, many bee products can be processed into other products such as candles, honey as part of soup making, honey drinks, and other eatable products. These products can serve as a source of constant income for bee farmers.

3. Raw Material for Industry

  • Bees products such as honey, propolis, and wax are good sources of raw materials for industries.
  • Bee produces honey and other honey products used in industries for the making of cereal cake mixes, processed food, and jellies, and as an ingredient in the health and beauty industries.
  • In the industry, bee wax is used in the pharmaceutical industries for ointment, candles, and household waxes.  Bees’ propolis are used in cosmetics lip balm and other drinks. 

4. Source of Medicine

  • Consumption of raw honey can reduce the risk of developing diabetes and supports the effects of diabetes medication.
  • It can help reduce cholesterol and decrease coronary artery disease risk.
  • Raw honey makes the brain function optimally by strengthening the heart and improving blood circulation.
  • Raw honey can help reduce seasonal allergies if sourced locally.
  • The consumption of honey promotes beneficial antioxidant agents, stimulates antibodies, and combats harmful microbial activity.
  • Honey can help improve urinary tract infections due to its antibacterial properties.

5. Generate Earning for Government

  • Honey can be used as a source of foreign earnings for the government. The Federal, State, and Local governments through the revenue generation platform can generate revenue from the export of honey.
  • On the other hand, honey sellers in the markets and other areas are given a license by the state government before they commence the selling of honey in the market, the revenue they accrue from the licensing of honey sellers goes to the government account.

6. Use Security or Protection:

  • Beekeeping can serve as a source of protection or security for man or the farmstead. People usually run away from the apiary because of the danger associated with bee stinging.
  • Bee can be used as biosecurity for protecting the farmstead, crops, and produce on the farm from thieves and intruders.
  • Bees can trained and used as a bio weapon in war against the enemy. Bees have been reported used to chase away enemies or certain people considered not fit to stay in a particular environment.

7. Pollination of Crops:

  • Bees are one the most important insects in agriculture because of their ability to aid the pollination of crops.
  • Some crops produce sweet nectar which attracts bees to them as a result of bees sucking the nectar from one flower to another pollen grains are transferred from the anther to the stigma where pollination can take place. About 80% of flowering plants rely on insects for pollination and bees constitute half of the pollinators of tropical plants.  

8. Use for Research / Educational Purposes:

  • The Bees are used as experimental tools for study in the field of Agriculture. Many experiments are carried out daily on the proper ways of domestication and uses of bees and bees-related by-products in the field of agriculture.
  • The presence of bees in the forest provides an opportunity for students to carry out different types of study (or) experimental work using the Bees.
    Students and researchers in the field of agriculture and agro-allied industry carried out research projects on the nature and uses of bees.

Species of honey bee:

  • Indian bee: Apis cerana indica.
  • Rock bee: Apis dorsata.
  • European bee: Apis mellifera.
  • Little bee: Apis florea.
  • Dammer bee or stingless bee: Melipona iridipennis.

Honey bee castes:

The insect which is lived together is called a social insect. Honey bee lives in a colony. A colony must maintain many rules and regulations based on the division of labor. In a colony, they are divided into several grades. These groups are nothing but called caste. In the honey bee, there are four castes.

  • Queen
  • Drone
  • Worker
  • Soldier

Worker:

5,000-50,000 per colony, sterile female, developed from fertilized eggs, have sting used to defense, small size, 1115 mm in length, longevity 36 months. All are a worker.

Queen:

Only one queen per colony, mother of the colony, sexual female developed from fertilized eggs have stirig used to kill the rival queen. Large sized, 1520 mm in length, can lay eggs 1000-3000 per day. It can preserve more than two crore sperm. Mate once in life, longevity 35 years. No works, only reproduce.

Drone:

Less in number per colony, bisexual male, developed from unfertilized eggs, no sting, medium-large sized, 1317 mm in length. Mate only once and then died, longevity 24 months, No work only feeding, Fly in the air when bright light.

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