Supering Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae) beehives impairs honey production and biomarker genes

For honey production, beekeepers add one or more supers to the hives to allow honeybees to store their products. However, the increase in hive space can affect the social and health organization in the colony, promoting stress. This study assessed the management of honey production, physicochemical honey properties, population development, and forages immune system gene expression patterns to be used as biomarker for monitoring beekeeping welfare. The treatments comprised 40 beehives divided in four treatments. Treatment 1 - control, supers added according to storage necessity. Treatments 2, 3, and 4 presented two, three, and four supers at the beginning of the experiment, respectively. T1 presented greater honey production (39.4 % increased). No difference in open brood area in the colonies was observed and honey properties and only T2 showed closed brood area higher than the other treatments. Foragers from T4 showed higher catalase and defensin gene expression at the middle-end experiment. Thus, the increasing internal space at the beginning of honey season can affect honey production and immune system of foragers. Catalase and defensin can be used as biomarkers for monitoring honey production welfare.

Supering Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae) beehives impairs honey production and biomarker genes

For honey production, beekeepers add one or more supers to the hives to allow honeybees to store their products. However, the increase in hive space can affect the social and health organization in the colony, promoting stress. This study assessed the management of honey production, physicochemical honey properties, population development, and forages immune system gene expression patterns to be used as biomarker for monitoring beekeeping welfare. The treatments comprised 40 beehives divided in four treatments. Treatment 1 - control, supers added according to storage necessity. Treatments 2, 3, and 4 presented two, three, and four supers at the beginning of the experiment, respectively. T1 presented greater honey production (39.4 % increased). No difference in open brood area in the colonies was observed and honey properties and only T2 showed closed brood area higher than the other treatments. Foragers from T4 showed higher catalase and defensin gene expression at the middle-end experiment. Thus, the increasing internal space at the beginning of honey season can affect honey production and immune system of foragers. Catalase and defensin can be used as biomarkers for monitoring honey production welfare.

Supering Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera, Apidae) beehives impairs honey production and biomarker genes

ABSTRACT: For honey production, beekeepers add one or more supers to the hives to allow honeybees to store their products. However, the increase in hive space can affect the social and health organization in the colony, promoting stress. This study assessed the management of honey production, physicochemical honey properties, population development, and forages immune system gene expression patterns to be used as biomarker for monitoring beekeeping welfare. The treatments comprised 40 beehives divided in four treatments. Treatment 1 - control, supers added according to storage necessity. Treatments 2, 3, and 4 presented two, three, and four supers at the beginning of the experiment, respectively. T1 presented greater honey production (39.4 % increased). No difference in open brood area in the colonies was observed and honey properties and only T2 showed closed brood area higher than the other treatments. Foragers from T4 showed higher catalase and defensin gene expression at the middle-end experiment. Thus, the increasing internal space at the beginning of honey season can affect honey production and immune system of foragers. Catalase and defensin can be used as biomarkers for monitoring honey production welfare.

Energetic supplementation for maintenance or development of Apis mellifera L. colonies

The nutritional requirements of honeybees (Apis mellifera) for their complete development need to be supplied through food sources available in the environment, since honeybees are insects that depend directly on blossoming food sources. However, at certain times a food-supply reduction can promote nutritional stress, thus necessitating food supplementation for maintenance or production stimulus of the colonies. Thus, the determination of optimal energy supplementation can assist in the maintenance and production of colonies. Methods: Twenty Apis mellifera beehives were used (with five beehives per treatment): CTL, control (without feeding); SJ, sugarcane juice; SS, sugar syrup; and IS, inverted sucrose. We evaluated the food consumption, population development, and physiological state (expression of vitellogenin and hexamerin 70a genes) of each colony. Results: The results showed that the supplementation of colonies with sugar syrup resulted in an intermediate consumption level (894.6 ± 291 mL) and better development (384.9 ± 237.3 and 158.3 ± 171.6 cm2, sealed and open brood, respectively). Furthermore, this diet ensured that the colonies were in a good physiological state, as bees fed this diet presented the highest relative expression levels of vitellogenin and hexamerin 70a among all the diets tested. Conclusions: Therefore, sugar syrup is concluded to be the best artificial energetic food for use in the supplementation of honeybee colonies.(AU)

Energetic supplementation for maintenance or development of Apis mellifera L. colonies

Background: The nutritional requirements of honeybees (Apis mellifera) for their complete development need to be supplied through food sources available in the environment, since honeybees are insects that depend directly on blossoming food sources. However, at certain times a food-supply reduction can promote nutritional stress, thus necessitating food supplementation for maintenance or production stimulus of the colonies. Thus, the determination of optimal energy supplementation can assist in the maintenance and production of colonies. Methods: Twenty Apis mellifera beehives were used (with five beehives per treatment): CTL, control (without feeding); SJ, sugarcane juice; SS, sugar syrup; and IS, inverted sucrose. We evaluated the food consumption, population development, and physiological state (expression of vitellogenin and hexamerin 70a genes) of each colony. Results: The results showed that the supplementation of colonies with sugar syrup resulted in an intermediate consumption level (894.6 ± 291 mL) and better development (384.9 ± 237.3 and 158.3 ± 171.6 cm2, sealed and open brood, respectively). Furthermore, this diet ensured that the colonies were in a good physiological state, as bees fed this diet presented the highest relative expression levels of vitellogenin and hexamerin 70a among all the diets tested. Conclusions: Therefore, sugar syrup is concluded to be the best artificial energetic food for use in the supplementation of honeybee colonies.(AU)

Energetic feedings influence beeswax production by Apis mellifera L. honeybees / Alimentação energética influencia produção de cera por abelhas Apis mellifera L.

The effect of different types of energy feeding (sugar syrup, inverted sugar and juice of sugar-cane) on beeswax production and its economic feasibility are evaluated. Twenty beehives of Africanized Apis mellifera were selected, and five were used for each type of feeding. The treatments were T1 (sugar-cane juice), T2 (sugar syrup) and T3 (inverted sugar). Feedings was provided by Boardman feeders and the amount was adjusted according to consumption. A layer of beeswax was manually set up into the honeybee nest and beeswax built area was measured weekly. Total reducing sugar, calorimetry, dry matter and ashes of all feedings were analyzed. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance with Tukeys test to determine differences among averages. The average consumption of inverted sugar was significantly lower than that of other treatments. The highest beeswax production average occurred in the sugar syrup treatment. The highest average of ashes, dry matter and reducing sugar occurred, respectively, in sugarcane juice, inverted sugar and sugar syrup. Sugar syrup may be an alternative energy source for beeswax production, although sugar-cane juice may be more profitable.(AU)

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a interferência de alimentos energéticos na produção de cera e sua viabilidade econômica. Foram selecionadas 20 colmeias de abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas, cinco por tratamentos, sendo: T1: Garapa; T2: Xarope de açúcar e T3: Açúcar invertido. Os alimentos foram fornecidos por meio de alimentador tipo Boardman e a quantidade ajustada em função do consumo. A produção de cera foi analisada semanalmente. Foram analisados os açúcares redutores totais, a calorimétrica, a matéria seca e as cinzas. Para a análise dos dados foi utilizada a Análise de Variância seguida do teste de Tukey. O consumo médio de açúcar invertido foi significativamente menor em relação aos outros tratamentos. A maior produção média de cera ocorreu no T2. O maior valor de açúcar redutor e calorimetria foram encontrados no T2, em comparação com os demais tratamentos. Por outro lado, o T2 apresentou o menor valor de cinzas. Para matéria seca, o maior valor foi encontrado em T3. Com relação à análise econômica, esta tornou-se mais viável como uso da garapa de cana-de-açúcar. Pode-se concluir que o xarope de açúcar pode ser uma alternativa para induzir a produção de cera em abelhas Apis mellifera embora a garapa seja economicamente mais viável.(AU)

Energetic feedings influence beeswax production by Apis mellifera L. honeybees / Alimentação energética influencia produção de cera por abelhas Apis mellifera L

The effect of different types of energy feeding (sugar syrup, inverted sugar and juice of sugar-cane) on beeswax production and its economic feasibility are evaluated. Twenty beehives of Africanized Apis mellifera were selected, and five were used for each type of feeding. The treatments were T1 (sugar-cane juice), T2 (sugar syrup) and T3 (inverted sugar). Feedings was provided by Boardman feeders and the amount was adjusted according to consumption. A layer of beeswax was manually set up into the honeybee nest and beeswax built area was measured weekly. Total reducing sugar, calorimetry, dry matter and ashes of all feedings were analyzed. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance with Tukeys test to determine differences among averages. The average consumption of inverted sugar was significantly lower than that of other treatments. The highest beeswax production average occurred in the sugar syrup treatment. The highest average of ashes, dry matter and reducing sugar occurred, respectively, in sugarcane juice, inverted sugar and sugar syrup. Sugar syrup may be an alternative energy source for beeswax production, although sugar-cane juice may be more profitable.

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a interferência de alimentos energéticos na produção de cera e sua viabilidade econômica. Foram selecionadas 20 colmeias de abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas, cinco por tratamentos, sendo: T1: Garapa; T2: Xarope de açúcar e T3: Açúcar invertido. Os alimentos foram fornecidos por meio de alimentador tipo Boardman e a quantidade ajustada em função do consumo. A produção de cera foi analisada semanalmente. Foram analisados os açúcares redutores totais, a calorimétrica, a matéria seca e as cinzas. Para a análise dos dados foi utilizada a Análise de Variância seguida do teste de Tukey. O consumo médio de açúcar invertido foi significativamente menor em relação aos outros tratamentos. A maior produção média de cera ocorreu no T2. O maior valor de açúcar redutor e calorimetria foram encontrados no T2, em comparação com os demais tratamentos. Por outro lado, o T2 apresentou o menor valor de cinzas. Para matéria seca, o maior valor foi encontrado em T3. Com relação à análise econômica, esta tornou-se mais viável como uso da garapa de cana-de-açúcar. Pode-se concluir que o xarope de açúcar pode ser uma alternativa para induzir a produção de cera em abelhas Apis mellifera embora a garapa seja economicamente mais viável.

Pesticides in the propolis at São Saulo State, Brazil / Pesticidas na própolis do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The increasing demand for propolis has caused a raise in its production. However, an increasingly pesticide-dependent agriculture is a great concern with regard to bees, their produce and environmental contamination. Current analysis evaluates the presence of pesticides (organochlorines, organophosphates, pyrethroids, carbamates, herbicides, fungicides and acaricides) in samples of propolis from the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Beekeepers from several localities in the state provided samples of propolis (50), which were collected, stored in non-toxic plastic bags and maintained in a freezer for analyses. Possible pesticide residues were examined by gas chromatography method but no pesticide residues were detected in the examined propolis samples. Propolis analyzed in the state of São Paulo did not show any pesticide contamination.

A crescente procura pela própolis tem ocasionado aumento em sua produção. Entretanto, uma agricultura cada vez mais dependente de pesticidas representa preocupação com relação à contaminação ambiental, além das abelhas e seus produtos. Neste sentido, a proposta do presente trabalho foi avaliar a presença de pesticidas (organoclorados, organofosforados, piretroides, carbamatos, herbicidas, fungicidas e acaricidas) em amostras de própolis do Estado de São Paulo. Apicultores de diversas localidades do Estado forneceram amostras de própolis (50). Estas foram coletadas, armazenadas em sacos plásticos atóxicos e mantidas em freezer até as análises. Os possíveis resíduos de pesticidas foram analisados por cromatografia gasosa. Não foi observada a presença dos pesticidas analisados nas amostras. Neste caso, a própolis analisada no Estado de São Paulo não apresentou contaminação por pesticidas.

Diferentes manejos na produção de mel em abelhas Apis mellifera L. e seu efeito na expressão de genes relacionados ao estresse

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar o efeito do aumento do espaço interno da colmeia (por meio da adição de melgueiras) na produção e nas características físico-químicas (acidez total, pH, umidade, cinzas), desenvolvimento populacional do enxame e expressão de genes relacionados ao estresse em abelhas Apis mellifera. Foram selecionadas e padronizadas vinte colmeias, divididas em quatro tratamentos, sendo T1: controle, adição de uma melgueira e acréscimo de outras ao longo da florada, conforme a necessidade; T2, T3 e T4: duas, três e quatro ?melgueiras? acrescentadas de forma simultânea, respectivamente, no início da florada. Os resultados foram comparados por ANOVA, seguida do teste de Tukey (P<0,05). Pode-se concluir que o T1 apresentou produção de mel significativamente maior em comparação aos demais tratamentos e que o acréscimo de espaço interno nas colmeias promoveu aumento da expressão de genes relacionados ao estresse, sem interferir com o desenvolvimento populacional do enxame e qualidade físicoquímica do mel produzido

The aim of this study was to evaluate different management in honey production, by analyzing physicochemical honey properties such as acidity, pH, moisture, ash and lund; the population development in Apis mellifera bees. Twenty beehives were selected and standardized, and five were used for each honey production management, T1: control, when supers were added according to storage necessity throughout the period of nectar secretion, T2, T3 and T4 had two, three and four supers added respectively. It is worth mentioning that all the supers were added at the same time. The results were compared by ANOVA followed by Tukey test (p<0,05). We can conclude that T1 showed higher honey production compared with the other treatments and the increase of internal space in hives promoted and in the expression of genes related to stress, but not interfering in the population development and in honey physico-chemical quality