Bobadoye, B. | Search bioRxiv

bioRxiv2024

Adoption of Modern Beekeeping Technologies and Best Management Practices Among Honey Beekeepers in South West, Nigeria.

Colony collapse disorder (CCD) is an abnormal phenomenon which has been largely undocumented in Nigeria. However, several factors have been attributed to high cases of hive abandonment, amongst which is low adoption of hive management practices. This study was carried out to determine adoption of modern technologies and hive management practices amongst beekeepers within the south-west region of Nigeria to reduce the incidence of CCD. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 399 beekeepers in beekeeping zones across Ekiti, Oyo and Osun and Ondo States in South-West, Nigeria. Interview schedules were used to collect information on beekeepers to determine the level of adoption of modern beekeeping technologies among honey beekeepers to mitigate against colony collapse and results showed that honey beekeepers perception, benefits derived and constraints to adoption of modern honey beekeeping technologies determined what best management practices to adopt. In light of these findings, it is clear that beekeeping in Southwest Nigeria holds significant promise as a source of income and livelihood improvement. To harness this potential, policymakers, government agencies, and relevant stakeholders must consider tailored strategies to address the unique challenges faced by beekeepers in different states. Encouraging the adoption of modern beekeeping technologies and providing the necessary support systems can contribute to the sustainable growth of the beekeeping industry in the region. In conclusion, there is a need for enhanced education and training initiatives to improve beekeepers knowledge of good management practices, which can positively impact beekeeping outcomes. Moreover, addressing the issues related to time constraints and the lack of time for bee farm monitoring is essential to ensure the efficient management of beekeeping activities. The losses and consequent economic damages have encouraged researchers to develop new strategies to control honeybee diseases and pest infestations through the adoption of modern technology.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2024

Electroantennography Responses of African Meliponine Bee Species (Hymenoptera: meliponini) to Hetero-Specific Trail Pheromones: Glandular Sequestration of Terpenyl Esters .

Preliminary studies of electroantennographic responses of African meliponine bees to trail pheromones were performed using four meliponine species; Hypotrigona gribodoi, Meliponula ferruginea (black), Meliponula ferruginea (reddish brown) and Melipona bocandei. Experiments with Meliponula ferruginea (black) and (reddish brown) revealing antennae responses to pentane extracts containing the nasonov gland and tarsal glands respectively. Because the glandular origin of pheromone marks deposited by African meliponine bees species has not yet been investigated, we first confirmed if these species carry out scent marking and recruitment behavior at floral sources. Secondly we tested if either nasonov or tarsal gland secretions elicited trail-following behavior in newly recruited bees by means of chemical and electrophysiological analyses as well as with bio-assays testing both natural extracts and synthetic pheromone compounds from both glands. A significantly higher proportion of foragers from the four species were attracted and recruited additional foragers to floral resources baited with natural extracts from their own tarsal and nasonov glands. The dominant compound from postpharyngeal gland extracts detected by the chemo-receptors on the foragers antennae from these four species belongs to the chemical class of terpenoid esters, with (E)-{beta} Farnesene constituting a dominant part of this trail pheromone in all four species. This terpenoid could potentially be a singular olfactory cue with dual functionality for resource partitioning and competition avoidance between con-specific and hetero-specific foragers on floral resources, which commonly occurs when foragers from different colonies are scouting for food sources in overlapping foraging areas.

zoology↗