The complete mitochondrial genome of the yellow coloured honeybee Apis mellifera from North Island, New Zealand was analyzed using next-generation sequencing. The mitochondrial genome was a 16,349bp circular molecule and was predicted to contain 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes and two rRNA genes. The initiation codon ATA was found in two genes, ATG in four genes, ATT in six genes, and ATC in one gene, while the termination codon TAA was observed in all the PCGs. Phylogenetic analysis using the sequence of 23 closely related taxa suggested a sister relationship with the Italian strain A. mellifera ligustica .

We analyzed the complete mitochondrial genome of the dusky brown-gray-colored honeybee Apis mellifera, collected from North Island, New Zealand. We determined that the mitochondrial genome was a 16,336 bp and predicted 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 tRNA genes, and two rRNA genes. The start codon ATA was found in two genes, ATG in four genes, ATT in six genes, and ATC in one gene, whereas the termination codon TAA was observed in all PCGs. The non-coding regions of tRNA-Leu and COII were consistent with the C haplotype of A. mellifera carnica. Phylogenetic analysis suggests a close relationship with the European A. mellifera.

We used loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to develop primers capable of discriminating between honey made in Japan from either the Japanese honey bee (Apis cerana) or the European honey bee (Apis mellifera). LAMP primers were designed for the mitochondrial COXII gene, which has been shown to exhibit interspecies variation in these honey bees. Identification of the honey bee species could be completed within approximately 60 min with 100 % accuracy. The origin of honey that had been stored at room temperature for more than 380 days could also be identified within approximately 60 min. This DNA analysis method is the first that can distinguish between honey produced from different honey bee species.