Apiculture: Beekeeping - Definition, Types, Products, Examples, Role

Apiculture Meaning

“Apiculture is the scientific practice of rearing honeybees. “

The process of rearing bees for honey, beeswax and other by-products is called apiculture. It is derived from “apis” which means bee. This is the act of sustaining bees, their nests, reproduction, and treatment of diseases that affect the bee colonies. This explains why apiculture is significant for agricultural production as well as the preservation of the environment since it contributes to the pollination of many crops.

What is Apiculture?

Apiculture, also known as beekeeping, is farming bees to produce honey and other byproducts such as beeswax and for purposes of pollination. This is necessary for the plant growth and development. It also helps in conservation of plants since bees are helpful pollinators. Thus, the practice of beekeeping contributes positively to the provision of food and sustaining the earth’s ecosystems. Also, it has become important in modern agriculture and in maintaining healthy species populations.

Products of Apiculture

Honey is the major product that is obtained from apiculture. Besides honey, honey bee production also yields other products such as beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom, and pollen. Look at the following to learn more about the products of Honey Bee cultivation:

Honey

• It is a sweet and edible liquid.

• There are many types of honey, and all honey is different based on the flavours and colours of the nectar the bees have collected.

• It comprises many different nutrients, such as sugar, water, vitamins, and minerals.

• It is also composed of some amino acids, enzymes, and even some amounts of pollen.

• Minerals that can be observed in honey are calcium, iron, manganese, and phosphate.

• Vitamins that are usually present in honey are pantothenic acid, biotin, pyridoxine, choline, ascorbic acid, thiamine, which cures beriberi deficiency, riboflavin, and niacin.

• The flavour and odour of honey depend on the flower from which nectar is collected.

• Honey, being a natural sweetener, has anti-oxidant properties.

• It also has antibacterial qualities, which is why it is used in remedies for coughs and sore throats in natural medicine.

Beeswax

• Bee wax is defined as the product of worker bees that is secreted by their wax glands.

• This product has a very high melting point.

• Bee wax plays many different roles for humans, such as helping in the manufacturing of cold creams, cosmetics, candles, shaving cream, ointments, lipsticks, polishes, woodwork, etc.

• It can be bought in the form of candles, which burn without leaving soot and give off a faint honey-like fragrance.

• Beeswax finds its application in woodworking, where it is used as a finishing product that covers and nourishes the wooden surface as well as a furniture polish.

• They are commonly used in lip balms, lotions, and creams due to their emollient and, hence, moisturising nature.

Propolis and Balms

• Propolis is a resin that bees collect from tree buds and has been recognised as a medicine for generations.

• It also has antibacterial, antiviral properties, and anti-inflammatory. Therefore is applied in the production of health enhancing products like throat sprays, lozenges, and topical solutions.

• They play a major role in repairing the comb.

• Propolis is also referred to as "bee glue."

• Propolis is produced by combining saliva and beeswax that are collected from tree buds or sap flows.

• Propolis helps to close and fill the gaps in the beehive.

• The colour of propolis is observed to be dark brown, but the colour can vary depending on its botanical nature.

• They show the property of stickiness when heated above 20°C and become hard and brittle at lower temperatures.

Royal jelly

• Bees make use of royal jelly to nurture queen bees, hence the name royal jelly.

• Royal jelly is produced by the worker bees in the form of a milky secretion to feed the larvae and the queen bees.

• Royal jelly is enriched in vitamins, proteins, fat, sugar, water, salts, and amino acids, thus boosting the overall health of the body and its vitality.

• Royal jelly possesses medicinal properties, like honey does. Consumption of royal jelly has health benefits such as increased energy levels, improves the immune system, and improves skin.

• Royal jelly plays a vital role in making many homoeopathic and ayurvedic medicines.

Bee Venom

• The poison that is synthesised by bees and that makes bee stings painful is known as "bee venom."

• Bee venom possesses some medicinal properties, like honey and royal jelly.

• It is used to cure and treat many diseases, such as rheumatism, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, etc.

Pollen

Bee pollen, which is made up of various flowering plants, is rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some people take it as a dietary supplement to boost energy, boost their immune system, or help with their general health. Bee pollen is also found in beauty products, mainly because it is known to nourish the skin and help it look more youthful.

Benefits of Beekeeping

Honey bee cultivation involves activities such as the management of hives and diseases that affect bees. The main advantages of apiculture are that these are significant to pollination, necessary for several crops, and contribute to agricultural yield and ecosystem preservation. This underlines the uses of beekeeping for economic and ecological well-being.

Historical Origins of Beekeeping

The history of beekeeping has been estimated to date back 10,000 years, as indicated by Spanish cave paintings. The Egyptians, to date, claim that they have been managing bees as far back as 2400 BC. The honeycombs they used were made from clay. The use of bees was also observed by the Greeks and Romans; literature from antiquity by Aristotle as well as Virgil contains allusions to bees. Food and honeybees as medicine have shown that bees were greatly valued in early societies, and these were early signs of the Apicultural economy.

Cultural and Economic Impact of Beekeeping Throughout History

Historically, beekeeping or apiculture farming has had an immense impact on the cultural and economic domains of life. Honey and beeswax were useful and were widely used in the buying and selling of goods and religious ceremonies. In mediaeval Europe, bees and beekeeping were essential to rural societies, and their products were used for making candles. Now beekeeping is useful worldwide through pollination services, which are valued in billions and have cultural importance for representing industry and sweet things.

Types of Honey Bees that are Used in Apiculture

Several species of honey bees are commonly used in apiculture due to their productivity and adaptability. Among these, Apis mellifera is the most preferred species for large-scale commercial beekeeping. Three different kinds of honey bees are generally used in Honey bee cultivation:

Queen bee

Queen Bee is said to be the mother of the colony. All of the work that goes on inside the hive revolves around her in order for them to survive. She has a lifespan of about 2 to 5 years. Queen bees lay around 2,000 eggs. The egg laid by queen bees can be fertilised or unfertilized. Unfertilized eggs are converted to drones, while fertilised eggs are converted to both queens and workers.

Drones

The male members of the honey bees that fertilise the young queens are known as drones. These bees are generally smaller in size, but they are heavier than the queen.

Worker Bees

The female members of the honey bees that cannot reproduce are known as worker bees. They are considered the most active members of the colony. The functions that are performed by worker bees change with their age.

Common Varieties of Bees

The different bee species used in beekeeping are:

• Apis mellifera, most beekeeping concerns honeybees, which are of different types, but the common one due to its high production and versatility is Apis mellifera (the western honeybee).

• Apis cerana (Asian honey Bee),

• Apis dorsata (Giant honey Bee) and

• Apis florea (Dwarf honey Bee).

Different races have different features, and they adapt to different climates and geographical backgrounds. These issues affect the selection of local races for better beekeeping management globally.

The Anatomy of Bees

Honeybees possess three main large divisions of the body, head, thorax, and abdomen. These are the antennulae, antennae, ocelli, palpi, mandibles, and a proboscis. The thorax is attached to three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings. The abdomen contains the segment of digestive system organs along with the reproductive system in both sexes and sting organs in worker bees to assist in important survival activities.

Functions of Different Body Parts in the Life Cycle

The antenna and legs are used for feeling, while the wings are used for flying, and the sting is used to protect the colony. Besides, antennal organs also play a role in smelling and tasting, and compound eyes give vision. Mandibles deal with handling objects and help in the process of feeding. Wings are used in flying for foraging and swarming, while legs are used for picking pollen. Defensive service is provided by the sting apparatus in worker bees. These functions are important for acquiring food, exchanging information, and constructing their nests.

To improve the rate of beekeeping, it is important to have a better understanding of the body structures of bees. They help to define favourable conditions, construct useful hives, and maintain bees’ health as well as reproduction. Understanding the sensory appendages, locomotives, and reproductive structures assists in improving the organisation of hives, infectious disease prevention, and security measures, leading to improved bee efficiency and health.

Characteristics, Behaviour, and Roles within the Hive

Within a honeybee hive, there are three main types of bees:

• Queen

• Workers

• Drones

The queen is the only sexually reproducing female and lays thousands of eggs and several hundred will-be princes. Drones are larger in size and mandibulate, they mate with the queen and die soon after copulation. The worker bees are all female and perform tasks such as foraging and nursing, among other roles or duties of the colony. Drones are male bees in the colony with the primary function of mating with a queen. Both types have unique activities and appearances to fit their jobs and help maintain the colony's productivity.

Equipment and Tools Required for Beekeeping

A variety of implements is used in beekeeping to ensure that the colonies are properly controlled. Some of the equipment includes beehives, bee frames, beehive tools, smokers, protective clothing used by the beekeepers, and honey extraction gadgets. All are used in hive manipulation, honey harvesting, or in the protection of the beekeeper.

Precautions

Bee farming is likely to have some degree of risk, such as being stung by bees or having an allergic reaction. To counter these threats, beekeepers are required to follow safety measures. This includes full-body suits made from thick material, usually a thick net, a veil to cover the face and head, and even gloves for the hands. The beekeeper should wear closed shoes, and pants must be worn inside the shoe to avoid bees penetrating the garment. The protective gear should not be damaged such as tears or holes and replaced when they are damaged.

Challenges in Beekeeping

Threats to bees include varroa mites like American foul-bod disease, habitat loss, and pesticide exposure.

Habitat loss: Urbanization and monoculture farming diminish forage resources, thus raising pesticide risk.

Climatic change effects: Gives the florets at the wrong times, disrupts foraging patterns, and lowers honey production because of high temperatures and their alteration species.

Management strategies: Beekeepers use integrated pest management, inspect regularly, and provide bee-friendly plants as support for bee health.

Policy support: Supporting sustainable farming practices and reduced pesticide use creates healthier environments for bees and reduces long-term viability.

MCQs on Beekeeping

Q1. Which of the following is a benefit of beekeeping?

1. Increased crop yields

2. Improved soil quality

3. Increased biodiversity

4. All of the above

Correct answer: 4) All of the above

Explanation:

Beekeeping has several benefits, including increased crop yields, improved soil quality, and increased biodiversity. Bees play a critical role in pollination, which leads to fertilization and the production of fruits and seeds, increasing crop yields. Additionally, bees help to break down organic matter, improving soil quality. Finally, bees play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity by pollinating wildflowers and other plants, which are an essential food source for many animals.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 4) All of the above.

Q2. Which one of the following products of apiculture is used in cosmetics and polishes?

1. Honey

2. Oil

3. Royal Jelly

4. Beeswax

Correct answer: 4) Beeswax

Explanation:

Important Methods for Successful Bee-keeping - Management of beehives during different seasons. During spring and summer, beekeepers should ensure the bees have enough space to expand the hive and sufficient forage to collect nectar. In autumn, beekeepers should prepare the hives for winter by ensuring adequate food supplies and insulating the hive. During winter, it's important to protect the colony from extreme cold while ensuring ventilation to prevent moisture buildup. Proper seasonal management helps maintain strong and productive bee colonies throughout the year.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Beeswax.

Q3. Which of the following is NOT important for successful beekeeping?

1. Knowledge of the nature and habits of bees

2. Selection of a suitable location for keeping the beehives

3. The use of pesticides to protect the bees

4. Catching and hiving of swarms

Correct answer: 3) The use of pesticides to protect the bees

Explanation:

The use of pesticides is not important for successful beekeeping. Bees are needed for pollination, which is crucial for the reproduction of many plants, including the crops that humans depend on for food. If pesticides are not used mindfully, they can lead to a reduction in bee populations, endangering both biodiversity and agricultural productivity.

Hence, the correct option is 3) The use of pesticides to protect the bees.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Apiculture and Fisciculture

• Animal Husbandry

• Microbes in Human Welfare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is called apiculture?
Apiculture is the practice of rearing and managing honeybee colonies for honey production and crop pollination.

Q2. What are the two types of apiculture?
The two types are traditional (using natural hives) and modern (using artificial hives or boxes).

Q3. Who is the father of apiculture?
Rev. L.L. Langstroth is known as the father of modern apiculture for inventing the movable-frame beehive.

Q4. What is the method of apiculture?
Apiculture involves setting up hives, maintaining bee colonies, ensuring proper feeding, and collecting honey and other bee products.

Q5. What are the three types of bees?
The three types of bees are queen bee, worker bee, and drone bee, each having a specific role in the colony.