Apiculture, Species of Honey bee, Production of Honey and Wax

Apiculture, Species of Honey bee, 

Honey bees are social insects and found all over the world. They are active throughout the year but in the spring season when flowering occurs they prepare a strong colony.

Their colony comprises prominently three members - Queen, worker and drone. Worker make communication by weagle dance with the other members of society while they are near source of food.

This dance is known as language of bee , demonstrated by the Karl Von Frish. Honey bees have a good division of labor. 

                                                                         

Development of members of Honey bee colony

Queen lays both fertilized and unfertilized  eggs after fertilization.

Drones are produced from unfertilized eggs whereas Worker are developed from fertilized eggs.

When workers feed royal jelly then they are converted into queen. Worker are sterile male developed from unfertilized eggs. This is called as Arrhenotoky. Whereas drones are fertile male. They fertilize the queen to lay eggs.

Worker are builders, repairers and fanners of bee hives.

Species of Honey bee There are four species of honey bee.

Apis dorsata is called Rock bee or Giant honey bee. These bees are very difficult to domesticate due to being ferocious in nature. This species produces largest amount of honey than all species of honey bee.

Apis indica is called as Indian bee. They prefer to live in dark places. They are easily domesticated due to their gentle nature.

Apis florea is a little bee. They yield very small amounts of honey .They have a rare stinging nature.

Apis mellifera is called as European honey bee. They are important in terms of commercial purpose. They are easily domesticated and can be improved by the many years.

Remember 👌👌Honey bee likes to rear and resides in fruit orchard like apple peaches,plums cherries pears melon cucumbers etc.

Apiculture

The rearing and domestication of honey bees for the production of honey and  beeswax is called Apiculture.

It is one of the important cottage industries in various countries.

For a successful apiculture, following views should be kept in mind. The honey bee should be gentle in nature for easy domestication. Honey bees should construct strong colonies.

Honey bees should have the ability to protect from enemies. Bee can produce more honey from its comb.

Honey is an important product of honey bees. For the production of honey,the bee collects nectar from the flowers.

The nectors are hydrolysed by the saliva and converts sucrose into glucose, fructose, and levulose. In addition to this , honey is rich in thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acids so it is regardless as best food and tonic.

Honey is used for preparing candles, cakes and also used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine.

Bee wax is released by the hypodermal gland  of workers. It is used in manufacture of cosmetics, candles, polishes carbon paper etc.