云南食用蜜蜂种类调查及鉴定

在云南,人们有食用蜜蜂幼虫和蛹的习俗。市场上销售的蜜蜂幼虫和蛹多经热水烫过或煮过,因而缺少成虫形态,俗名易混用,食用种类长期未予明确。本文在市场调查的基础上,收集其中部分样品,通过形态学和mtDNA的COI基因部分序列初步鉴定其分类地位,以明确食用种类。结果表明,云南蜜蜂的食用集中在横断山脉南部地区,接受人群广泛,食用方式多样;云南食用本地分布的全部5种野生蜜蜂,包括东方蜜蜂(Apis cerana)、小蜜蜂(A.florea)、大蜜蜂(A.dorsata)、黑大蜜蜂(A.laboriosa)和黑小蜜蜂(A.andreniformis);基于COI序列构建的邻接法(NJ)和最大简约法(MP)系统发育树支持现有的蜜蜂属系统发育关系;现有的食用蜜蜂大多采集自野外,亟待开展遗传资源保护。本研究为食用蜜蜂的鉴定提供了数据支持,也为蜜蜂自然资源的利用和保护提供参考。     

引入西方蜜蜂对中蜂的危害及生态影响

作者阐述自1896年中国引进西方蜜蜂Apis melliferaL.的优良品种如意大利蜂Apis mellifera ligusticaSpinola和喀尼阿兰蜂Apis mellifera Carnica Pollmann以来,使当地的东方蜜蜂Apis cerana F.受到严重危害,其分布区域缩小75%以上,种群数量减少80%以上。使山林植物授粉总量减少,导致植物多样性减少。文中提出: 建立自然保护区保存本地蜜蜂遗传特性,和采用基因转移等技术,培育具有西方蜜蜂优良生产性能的中蜂新品种,逐步恢复中蜂的种群数量。     

Native Prey and Invasive Predator Patterns of Foraging Activity: The Case of the Yellow-Legged Hornet Predation at European Honeybee Hives

Contrary to native predators, which have co-evolved with their prey, alien predators often benefit from native prey naïveté. Vespa velutina, a honeybee predator originating from Eastern China, was introduced into France just before 2004. The present study, based on video recordings of two beehives at an early stage of the invasion process, intends to analyse the alien hornet hunting behaviour on the native prey, Apis mellifera, and to understand the interaction between the activity of the predator and the prey during the day and the season. Chasing hornets spent most of their time hovering facing the hive, to catch flying honeybees returning to the hive. The predation pressure increased during the season confirming previous study based on predator trapping. The number of honeybee captures showed a maximum peak for an intermediate number of V. velutina, unrelated to honeybee activity, suggesting the occurrence of competition between hornets. The number of honeybees caught increased during midday hours while the number of hornets did not vary, suggesting an increase in their efficacy. These results suggest that the impact of V. velutina on honeybees is limited by its own biology and behaviour and did not match the pattern of activity of its prey. Also, it could have been advantageous during the invasion, limiting resource depletion and thus favouring colonisation. This lack of synchronization may also be beneficial for honeybee colonies by giving them an opportunity to increase their activity when the hornets are less effective.     

蜜蜂体内王浆主蛋白基因mrjp9的转录表达研究

蜜蜂体内有9种王浆蛋白基因(major royal jelly protein,MRJPs1～9),其中MRJPs1～5在蜂王浆中含量较高,是蜂王浆生物学功能的基础。MRJPs6～9在王浆中没有或含量极少,且功能未知。为研究非王浆蛋白组分的MRJP9的生物学功能,本研究用RT-PCR的方法对意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola不同组织,不同部位,不同级型样本中mrjp9的转录水平进行检测和定量。结果发现mrjp9在蜜蜂的幼虫、蛹和成年蜜蜂的各组织部位均广泛转录表达,但其在幼虫、蛹和刚出房的成年蜜蜂体内表达水平较低,而在成年采集蜂体内表达水平则较高,其表达与蜜蜂的发育时期有关。通过对在成年蜜蜂体内各组织部位的表达水平进行检测的结果显示该基因主要在蜜蜂的头、胸和王浆腺等组织部位的表达较高,其他组织部位表达较少。此外,该基因也在雄蜂和蜂王体内广泛表达,不受蜜蜂性别和级型的影响。这些结果说明mrjp9是一与蜜蜂发育有关的基因,可能与蜜蜂的行为发育和分工调控有关。     

Exposure to sublethal doses of fipronil and thiacloprid highly increases mortality of honeybees previously infected by Nosema ceranae

BACKGROUND: The honeybee, Apis mellifera, is undergoing a worldwide decline whose origin is still in debate. Studies performed for twenty years suggest that this decline may involve both infectious diseases and exposure to pesticides. Joint action of pathogens and chemicals are known to threaten several organisms but the combined effects of these stressors were poorly investigated in honeybees. Our study was designed to explore the effect of Nosema ceranae infection on honeybee sensitivity to sublethal doses of the insecticides fipronil and thiacloprid. METHODOLOGY/FINDING: Five days after their emergence, honeybees were divided in 6 experimental groups: (i) uninfected controls, (ii) infected with N. ceranae, (iii) uninfected and exposed to fipronil, (iv) uninfected and exposed to thiacloprid, (v) infected with N. ceranae and exposed 10 days post-infection (p.i.) to fipronil, and (vi) infected with N. ceranae and exposed 10 days p.i. to thiacloprid. Honeybee mortality and insecticide consumption were analyzed daily and the intestinal spore content was evaluated 20 days after infection. A significant increase in honeybee mortality was observed when N. ceranae-infected honeybees were exposed to sublethal doses of insecticides. Surprisingly, exposures to fipronil and thiacloprid had opposite effects on microsporidian spore production. Analysis of the honeybee detoxification system 10 days p.i. showed that N. ceranae infection induced an increase in glutathione-S-transferase activity in midgut and fat body but not in 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase activity. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: After exposure to sublethal doses of fipronil or thiacloprid a higher mortality was observed in N. ceranae-infected honeybees than in uninfected ones. The synergistic effect of N. ceranae and insecticide on honeybee mortality, however, did not appear strongly linked to a decrease of the insect detoxification system. These data support the hypothesis that the combination of the increasing prevalence of N. ceranae with high pesticide content in beehives may contribute to colony depopulation.     

Diurnal and Seasonal Changes in Thermal Preference of Single,Isolated Bees and Small Groups of Bees (Apis mellifera L.)

The aim of the present study was: to compare thermoregulatory behaviour of single honeybee workers and groups of 3–15 bees over their annual activity period and to check out whether the annual fluctuations of ambient temperature selection are correlated with phases of the colony development. Thermal behaviour of both single workers and groups of bees was recorded, using a video camera, in a thermal gradient system. Thermal preferences of the insects were tested seasonally in spring (May/June), summer (July/August) and autumn (September–November). Both single bees and small groups of bees changed their thermal behaviour in daily cycle. The season of the year had distinct effect on temperature preferences of both single honeybee workers or small groups of bees. In single honeybee workers the lowest ambient temperatures were preferred in late spring (the swarming phase) while the highest temperatures were selected during the summer (the colony growing phase). There were significant seasonal changes in ambient temperature selected by groups of honeybee workers. Groups of honeybee workers tended to prefer the lowest temperatures in late spring and the highest temperatures were selected during the summer. The day-night differences exhibited by small groups of bees in our experiments are likely to represent behavioural responses of the honeybee colony. In our experiments we proved an influence of the season of the year on the honeybees’ thermal behaviour, which might be connected with seasonal shifts of temperature regulated by the honeybee colony.     

Physiological effects of hypoxia in developing and adult honeybees <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis> L.

The effect of hypoxia on activity of metabolism was studied in developing and adult honeybees. The feedback was established between the O₂ deficit in the gas medium and its consumption by honeybees. An elevation of temperature within the limits of vital diapason for development of honeybees activated the O₂ consumption regardless of the hypoxia level. A prolonged action of hypoxia on the honeybee physiological state was revealed. There was shown the existence of convergent similarity between the effect of O₂ deficit on honeybees and on homoiothermal animals.     

Honeybees have Hydrophobic Wings that Enable Them to Fly through Fog and Dew

Honeybees have received public attention for their remarkable performance in low-altitude flying and their outstanding airborne hovering capability.However,minimal attention has been given to their capability to fly through the harshest climatic conditions.In this study,we used a high-speed camera and recorded an interesting phenomenon in which honeybees (Apis mellifera ligustica) flew effortlessly through mists or drizzling rain.To identify the mechanism behind honeybees flying through mists,the microstructure of their wings was examined via atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.Experimental results showed that the surface of a honeybee wing was rough,with bristles distributed on both the dorsal and ventral sides.The measurement results of the contact angle proved that the surface of honeybee wings was hydrophobic.Furthermore,hydrophobic proteins,which contained at least one hydrophobic tetra-peptide (i.e.,AAPA/V),were obtained.The rugged surface and hydrophobic proteins caused the hydrophobicity of honeybee wings.These results identify the hydrophobic mechanism of honeybee wings,which will be useful in designing hydrophobic structures.     

The relationship between the abundances of bumblebees and honeybees in a native habitat

Abstract. 1. The western honeybee, Apis mellifera, has been introduced to many parts of the world and is sometimes purported to be detrimental to native bees because it reduces their food base. It is seldom viewed in this light in Europe; however, when beekeepers maintain very high bee densities, the species could also be displacing insects in its native European range by reducing the resource base. 2. In England, populations of bumblebees (Bombus Latr. Hym.) have been decreasing both in terms of diversity and abundance, mainly because of a loss of habitat resulting from agricultural intensification. The impact of competition from other flower feeders is largely unknown. 3. Nineteen dry lowland heaths in southern England were sampled once for honeybees and bumblebees. Honeybee abundance varied from 4 to 81 bees per 100 m² (mean = 30.89, median = 23), whereas bumblebees varied from 2 to 17 individuals per 100 m² (mean = 8.26, median = 7), belonging to between one and five species. There was a negative association between honeybee and bumblebee abundance but there was no apparent relationship between honeybee abundance and bumblebee diversity. 4. The Bray–Curtis coefficient was used to compare the similarity in honeybee and bumblebee floral host breadth at these 19 sites. The coefficient was negatively associated with honeybee abundance: thus where honeybees were most abundant, bumblebees were fewer and/or foraged on different flower species. 5. Foraging host breadth was also examined at four heathlands over a field season (April to September). No association between honeybee abundance and foraging host breadth was found for short‐tongued bees, although there was some evidence for a change in floral host breadth for long‐tongued bees. 6. It is concluded that the impact of honeybees on bumblebees is complex. Although competition between the two species cannot be ruled out, it is perhaps equally likely that bumblebees decline in response to other factors, and that honeybees move independently of this decline.     

First approximation to a phenology of the honeybees (Apis mellifera) and flora of Africa

Peak flowering by the total flora of Africa coincides with or immediately follows peak rainfall. Flowering intensity of the total flora decreases with distance from the equator, but that of the honeybee plant resource base (±2% of total flora) does not. Flowering in the latter is highly synchronous (months 1–5 north of and 9–11 south of the equator). Both total and honeybee flora are completely incongruent with either the biomes or phytochoria of Africa. There is no significant correspondence between honeybee phenology and the total flora but significant correspondence occurs between honeybees and flowering in honeybee plant genera. A logistic regression model reveals that honeybee plant flowering predicts major honeybee colony events with a probability of 0.81 south of the equator and 0.71 for the whole continent. It is postulated that promiscuity in the bee plant genera and honeybees of Africa have contributed to their continental ubiquity.     

Detection and Identification of a Novel Lactic Acid Bacterial Flora Within the Honey Stomach of the Honeybee Apis mellifera

This investigation concerned the question of whether honeybees collect bacteria that are beneficial for humans from the flowers that contribute to formation of their honey. Bacteria originating from the types of flowers involved, and found in different anatomic parts of the bees, in larvae, and in honey of different types, were sampled during a 2-year period. 16S rRNA sequencing of isolates and clones was employed. A novel bacterial flora composed of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of the genera Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, which originated in the honey stomach of the honeybee, was discovered. It varied with the sources of nectar and the presence of other bacterial genera within the honeybee and ended up eventually in the honey. It appeared that honeybees and the novel LAB flora may have evolved in mutual dependence on one another. It was suggested that honey be considered a fermented food product because of the LAB involved in honey production. The findings are seen as having clear implications for future research in the area, as providing a better understanding the health of honeybees and of their production and storage of honey, and as having clear relevance for future honeybee and human probiotics.     

Seasonal heavy metal effects on detoxification and antioxidant gene expression in the urban honeybee

Environmental pollutants are associated with honeybee colony losses and may show seasonal concentration variations with respect to the environment and plants. In this study, we examined arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) seasonal variations in honey and honeybees in urban areas. Seasonal trends in detoxification (CYP9Q1, CYP9Q2, and CYP9Q3) and antioxidant genes encoding catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) were also determined in honeybees. Accordingly, As, Pb, and Hg concentrations were significantly increased in summer in both honey and honeybee samples when compared with other seasons. Similarly, the expression level of CYP9Q1, CYP9Q2, CYP9Q3, SOD1, and CAT showed a significant increase in summer honeybees. This increased expression level particularly in summer honeybees indicating an increased summer honeybee exposure and adaptive oxidative stress responses to environmental pollutants, including heavy metals due to increased flight activity when compared with other seasons. Thus, active season honeybees were subjected to environmental oxidative and detoxification stressors when exposed to environmental pollutants, including heavy metals.     

Farming with native bees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis> subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">capensis</Emphasis> Esch.) has varied effects on nectar-feeding bird communities in South African fynbos vegetation

Outside their natural range, honeybees (Apis mellifera) are known to have detrimental effects on indigenous pollinators through exploitative or interference competition, but little is known about the effect of honeybee farming in areas where honeybees occur naturally. In the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, where honeybees are indigenous, managed hives potentially elevate the abundance of honeybees far above natural levels, but impacts on other floral resource-dependent species have not been studied. Here we use experimental manipulation of honeybee density to test whether honeybee farming affects nectar-feeding birds. We selected the common sugarbush (Protea repens), utilized by both birds and bees, and analysed the time (before/after) by treatment (control/experiment) interaction to explore changes in bee abundance, nectar availability and bird abundance at three sites. Hive addition increased honeybee abundance in inflorescences of P. repens above expected levels. Despite experimental increase in honeybee numbers, there is no reduction in nectar sugar availability relative to the control areas. Where honeybee density was highest, sugarbird (Promerops cafer) numbers declined relative to expected, but sunbirds (Nectarinidae) were not affected at any of the sites. We conclude that stocking rates of more than one honey bee per P. repens inflorescence have detrimental effects on bird abundance due to interference, rather than resource competition.     

Evaluation of the efficacy of mitochondrial ATP 6 and 8, Cyt b and 16S rDNA genes for differentiation of Iranian honeybees (Apis mellifera meda) from commercial subspecies of Apis mellifera L. and comparison with geometric morphometric method

Mitochondrial DNA sequence variations and the geometric morphometric method can be used to differentiate honeybee subspecies and evolutionary lineages. Molecular markers are powerful tools for discriminating honeybee subspecies. In this study, 19 beekeeping sites were selected to collect Iranian honeybee samples. The honeybee forewing images stored at Oberursel (the Bee Data Bank) were used to compare with those of Iranian honeybees using the geometric morphometric method. Furthermore, the abilities of DNA markers to differentiate Iranian honeybees (A. m. meda) from the most common commercial subspecies (A. m. carnica and A. m. ligustica) were assessed. In the present research, 16S rDNA (Mitochondrial 16S rDNA Region) showed greater ability in differentiating Iranian honeybees from other subspecies compared with ATP 6 and 8 and Cyt b. The phylogenetic tree derived from 16S rDNA differentiated A. m. carnica and A. m. ligustica from Iranian honeybees. Principle component analysis (PCA) discriminated C lineage and Z subgroup from A and M lineages using 16S rDNA. In addition, the phylogenetic tree of the 16S rDNA affirmed the findings of the cluster analysis derived from the geometric morphometric method in differentiating A. m. carnica and A. m. ligustica from Iranian honeybees. The cluster analysis grouped reference subspecies of A. m. meda with Iranian honeybees. Moreover, the Discriminant Function Analyses (DFA) differentiated Iranian honeybees from A. m. ligustica and A. m. carnica.     

Ultrastructural analysis on the gland secretion in the extracellular ducts of the hypopharyngeal glands of the honeybee infected by Nosema apis

The hypopharyngeal glands of the honeybee secrete the larval food royal jelly, along with enzymes that are used in the production of honey from nectar. The composition of this secretion mixture varies with the physiological condition of the honeybee, and the final secretion mixture is conveyed through the extracellular ducts to the large excretory duct. The secretion products in the extracellular duct of both healthy and infected honeybees, was studied by transmission electron microscopy and image analysis. These products consisted of a densely packed, faintly visible granular substance. The granules were clearly defined by the computer enhanced image. The secretion products from the Nosema-infected honeybees exhibited the same granular structure, but were much less concentrated, thereby reducing the overall electron density of the secretion. These observations suggest that the composition of the secretion products from the hypopharyngeal glands in the Nosema-infected honeybees, was altered considerably.     

Social encapsulation of the small hive beetle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Aethina tumida</Emphasis> Murray) by European honeybees (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis> L.)

Summary European and African subspecies of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) utilize social encapsulation to contain the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida Murray), a honeybee colony scavenger. Using social encapsulation, African honeybees successfully limit beetle reproduction that can devastate host colonies. In sharp contrast, European honeybees often fail to contain beetles, possibly because their social encapsulation skills may be less developed than those of African honeybees. In this study, we quantify beetle and European honeybee behaviours associated with social encapsulation, describe colony and time (morning and evening) differences in these behaviours (to identify possible circadian rhythms), and detail intra-colonial, encapsulated beetle distributions. The data help explain the susceptibility of European honeybees to depredation by small hive beetles. There were significant colony differences in a number of social encapsulation behaviours (the number of beetle prisons and beetles per prison, and the proportion of prison guard bees biting at encapsulated beetles) suggesting that successful encapsulation of beetles by European bees varies between colonies. We also found evidence for the existence of circadian rhythms in small hive beetles, as they were more active in the evening rather than morning. In response to increased beetle activity during the evening, there was an increase in the number of prison guard bees during evening. Additionally, the bees successfully kept most (~93%) beetles out of the combs at all times, suggesting that social encapsulation by European honeybees is sufficient to control small populations of beetles (as seen in this study) but may ultimately fail if beetle populations are high.Received 20 January 2003; revised 21 April 2003; accepted 29 April 2003.     

How do honeybees attract nestmates using waggle dances in dark and noisy hives?

It is well known that honeybees share information related to food sources with nestmates using a dance language that is representative of symbolic communication among non-primates. Some honeybee species engage in visually apparent behavior, walking in a figure-eight pattern inside their dark hives. It has been suggested that sounds play an important role in this dance language, even though a variety of wing vibration sounds are produced by honeybee behaviors in hives. It has been shown that dances emit sounds primarily at about 250-300 Hz, which is in the same frequency range as honeybees' flight sounds. Thus the exact mechanism whereby honeybees attract nestmates using waggle dances in such a dark and noisy hive is as yet unclear. In this study, we used a flight simulator in which honeybees were attached to a torque meter in order to analyze the component of bees' orienting response caused only by sounds, and not by odor or by vibrations sensed by their legs. We showed using single sound localization that honeybees preferred sounds around 265 Hz. Furthermore, according to sound discrimination tests using sounds of the same frequency, honeybees preferred rhythmic sounds. Our results demonstrate that frequency and rhythmic components play a complementary role in localizing dance sounds. Dance sounds were presumably developed to share information in a dark and noisy environment.     

Statistical modeling of insect behavioral response to changes in weather conditions in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.

Understanding specific meteorological factors that affect the foraging activity of pollinator insects can provide valuable information to ensure appropriate levels of pollination of crops. This research was carried out to verify the spectrum of pollinating insects and their foraging behavior in relation to specific meteorological variables in the Brassica napus (rapeseed) crop. Data collected consisted of the following observations: number of visits by each pollinator, floral resources collected by Africanized honeybee Apis mellifera L., number of flowers visited by Africanized honeybees in 1 min, number of flowers visited by Africanized honeybees in one specific plant during the timed observation of 1 min, and the time taken by the honeybees to visit each flower. In this study the analyses were made through different generalized linear models. The Africanized honeybees were the most abundant pollinating insects (88%) and most visitors were observed collecting nectar (90%). The Africanized honeybees visited a total of 12.9?±?1.40 flowers in 1 min and 2.96?±?1.09 flowers of a single plant in 1 min. The time the honeybees spent on the rapeseed flowers was 4.2?±?1.6 s. The number of floral visitors correlated closely to the variation of abiotic factors, especially temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation. Africanized honeybees were more active at different times of the day as compared to the other floral visitors and they foraged more intensely on the Hyola 433 hybrid than on the Hyola 61 hybrid. The Hyola 61 hybrid was more attractive to Diabrotica speciosa and Lepidoptera.     

Bacterial community structures in honeybee intestines and their response to two insecticidal proteins

In this study, the effects of the Bt-toxin Cry1Ab and a soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) on intestinal bacterial communities of adult honeybees (Apis mellifera) were investigated. It was hypothesized that changes in intestinal bacterial communities of honeybees may represent a sensitive indicator for altered intestinal physiology. Honeybees were fed in a laboratory set-up with maize pollen from the Bt-transgenic cultivar MON810 or from the non-transgenic near isoline. Purified Cry1Ab (0.0014% w/v) and SBTI (0.1% or 1% w/v) represented supplementary treatments. For comparison, free-flying honeybees from two locations in Switzerland were analysed. PCR-amplification of bacterial 16S rRNA gene fragments and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses revealed a total of 17 distinct terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs), which were highly consistent between laboratory-reared and free-flying honeybees. The T-RFs were affiliated to Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria, to Firmicutes, and to Bacteriodetes. Neither Bt-maize pollen nor high concentrations of Cry1Ab significantly affected bacterial communities in honeybee intestines. Only the high concentration of SBTI significantly reduced the number of T-RFs detected in honeybee midguts, a concentration that also increases bee mortality. Therefore, total bacterial community structures may not be a sensitive indicator for providing evidence for the impact of insecticidal proteins on honeybees at sublethal levels.     

Synthetic Nasonov gland pheromone enhances abundance and visitation of honeybee,Apis mellifera,in Korla fragrant pear,Pyrus sinkiangensis

1. Korla fragrant pear (Pyrus sinkiangensis Yü) depends on cross-pollination by honeybees (Apis mellifera) but may suffer from low honeybee visitation.
2. We assessed whether honeybee abundance and visitation frequency are enhanced by using synthetic Nasonov gland pheromone (NGP), which is naturally produced by worker bees to stimulate the aggregation of bees to food resources or nesting sites.
3. The response of honeybees to synthetic NGP was firstly assessed using Y-tube olfactometer tests in the laboratory, and subsequently in the field, by placing NGP lures on Korla fragrant pear trees in orchards with and without beehives. Honeybee abundance was assessed using coloured pan traps while honeybee visits were assessed by visual observations on pear flowers.
4. Y-tube olfactometer tests showed a significant preference of honeybees for NGP. In pear orchards with beehives, honeybee abundance was 2.5-fold higher on trees with NGP lures than on trees without NGP, and 2.2-fold higher in orchards in which all trees contained NGP lures than in orchards without NGP lures. Such positive effects were not observed in orchards without beehives.
5. Flower visitation by honeybees was significantly higher in trees with NGP lures than without NGP lures, irrespective of the presence (5.7-fold higher) or absence of beehives (27.6-fold higher).
6. In mixed pear-apricot orchards, honeybee abundance was higher in pear trees with NGP lures than without lures.
7. Our results show that NGP lures attract honeybees to flowering pear trees in monoculture pear and mixed pear-apricot orchards, and that this effect is greatest in orchards with beehives.