Is there a need for conservation of honeybees in Africa?

Abstract

-Honeybees are native to Africa and Europe but have been spread worldwide as the basis for an apicultural industry. To date, large and diverse wild populations only remain in Africa. On this continent the beekeeping industry is relatively undeveloped and relies on trapping swarms from wild populations to constitute the managed stocks. Bee breeding is seldom practiced. The situation is therefore different from that of Europe or North America where wild or feral honeybees have almost disappeared and this distinction is important when assessing the conservation status of African honeybees. While African honeybees appear to be more resistant to major diseases, the history of honeybee populations worldwide suggests that their conservation is a necessity. After analyzing the threats to which honeybees are exposed in Africa, we argue that preventive conservation measures are required to maintain the present favorable situation and avoid the declines in populations experienced elsewhere.conservation / honeybee / Apis / Africa / diseases / beekeeping

Resistance of developing honeybee larvae during chronic exposure to dietary nicotine

“…An alternative -but not mutually exclusive -explanation for the resistance to pesticides suggested by our results could be the higher genetic variability of African honeybee populations. Although all major stressors are present, this may have resulted in selection for more resistant honeybees (Dietemann et al 2009). This could be tested by experiments comparing the response to xenobiotics of both larval and adult stages of different honeybee subspecies.…”

Honeybee health in Africa—a review

“…recent introduction of small hive beetles in Italy) (Mutinelli 2011;Mutinelli et al 2014). As experienced in other parts of the world, honeybee populations in Africa have also been affected by the introduction of novel pathogens, parasites and pests (Varroa destructor , American foulbrood, Nosema ceranae ) as well as habitat loss (Hussein 2001a, b;Dietemann et al 2009). …”

“…Despite the different threats, Africa seems fortunate as it contains a large endemic wild population of honeybees (Dietemann et al 2009), which shows a significantly higher genetic diversity than other honeybee populations (Wallberg et al 2014). In addition, African apiculture has room for growth since only a small proportion of honeybee colonies are commercially managed, with beekeeping in many countries still based on traditional practices (Johannsmeier 2001;Dietemann et al 2009).…”

“…In addition, African apiculture has room for growth since only a small proportion of honeybee colonies are commercially managed, with beekeeping in many countries still based on traditional practices (Johannsmeier 2001;Dietemann et al 2009). Therefore, Africa's large wild population may still be able to adapt to new threats, like diseases, without human interference.…”

Seasonal prevalence of pathogens and parasites in the savannah honeybee (Apis mellifera scutellata)

“…However, the health status of honeybees in Africa is poorly characterized (Hepburn and Radloff, 1998;Dietemann et al, 2009). African honeybees are genetically diverse, with an estimated 310 million colonies in Africa and ~ 10 million colonies in South Africa .…”