Search

This document is an editorial published in the journal Frontiers in Insect Science. It discusses the current status of honey bee genetic and breeding programs, highlighting the progress made and future perspectives. The editorial emphasizes the importance of honey bees in food production and biodiversity, as well as the challenges they face due to agriculture intensification, climate change, and diseases. The article also mentions the value of honey bee products and the interest of geneticists and breeders in their genetic and behavioral attributes. The editorial concludes by highlighting the potential benefits of incorporating genetic knowledge into honey bee breeding programs, particularly in relation to Varroa resistance and the reduction of synthetic acaricides. However, it notes that these advancements are not yet widely applied in commercial breeding programs. [Extracted from the article]

A longitudinal study was carried out in order to evaluate Nosema spp. spore counts in two key moments of the year (late autumn and spring) in honeybee colonies from five eco-regions of Argentina. Three hundred and sixty colonies were randomly selected and the infestation level of Nosema spp. and Varroa destructor was assessed in autumn and spring of 2015. In addition, a questionnaire concerning all management practices applied in the colonies was answered by the beekeepers. Generalized linear mixed effect models were performed to determine the relationship between risk factors associated with Nosema spp. spore counts in each eco-region. Data were scanned to identify colonies cluster with a higher probability of achieving high values of Nosema spp. abundance for each sampling period. Spatial distribution of colonies with a higher risk of achieving high Nosema spp. abundance seems to be explained by geographical conditions associated to climatic conditions and some management practices implemented in each eco-region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), is considered as a main contributor to pollination of important crops and to honey production. Originally, beekeeping in Argentina was performed in an extended area covering the north and central region of the country and involving A. mellifera of European origin. Later, honeybees of African origin entered South America through Brazil and hybridized with European genetic resources, giving rise to Africanized populations that are characterized by a more aggressive behavior among other unfavorable traits. In this study, a genetic characterization of 396 honeybee colonies from the most important apicultural region of Argentina is presented in order to provide an updated description of population structure and genetic diversity of commercial and feral colonies. Diversity was analyzed using mitochondrial (COI‐COII region) and nuclear (eight microsatellites) markers. Three European (M4, C1, C2J) and three African (A1, A4, A30) haplotypes were detected. European haplotypes were mostly found in commercial apiaries, whereas African haplotypes were detected at high frequencies in feral colonies. Microsatellite data were analyzed to estimate population genetic variability at the province level and to evaluate genetic admixture. A high level of hybridization between Africanized and European honeybees was detected with a significant latitudinal cline from north to south. Extensive population admixture resulted in the definition of four clusters that included both feral and commercial colonies and that are explained not only by geographical distribution and degree of Africanization but also by human influence through beekeeping activities. Genetic characterization of 396 Argentinean honeybee colonies provides an updated description of population structure and diversity of commercial and feral colonies. European haplotypes were mostly found in commercial apiaries, whereas African haplotypes were often detected in feral colonies. Microsatellite data indicated a high level of hybridization between Africanized and European honeybees with a cline from north to south. Extensive population admixture resulted in the definition of four clusters, explained by geographical distribution, degree of Africanization, and human influence through apiculturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]