What We Know, and Don`t Know, about the Benefits of Propolis to Honey Bee Health

Authors : Marla SIVAK

Pages : 2-2

View : 16 | Download : 12

Publication Date : 2018-12-08

Article Type : Conference Paper

Abstract :When colonies of Apis mellifera nest in tree cavities, they line the nest interior with a propolis envelope. Colonies in standard beekeeping equipment made of smooth wood do not construct a propolis envelope. The benefits of an antimicrobial layer are both prophylactic and therapeutic; a propolis envelope can improve colony health by reducing stress on individual immunity and can directly inhibit some pathogens insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(e.g., American foulbrood); and parasites insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(e.g., small hive beetle); 1, 2, 3 . More research is needed on the costs and benefits of resin collection to individual bees, and the presence of a propolis envelope on colony health. The behavioral regulation of resin foraging at the individual bee and colony level is poorly understood: how do bees locate sources of plant resins; do they choose among resin sources; and how do they recruit nest mates to the resins? We do not understand the modes of action insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(contact and/or volatile emissions); of propolis on bee immune function, and against A. mellifera microbes and parasites. At the colony level, more studies are needed to explore propolis as a treatment against hive diseases, both alone and in combination with other mechanisms of social immunity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(i.e. hygienic behavior);. What modifications in manmade bee boxes are needed to stimulate colonies to construct a propolis envelope?  And finally, unlike A. mellifera and stingless bees, the Asian honey bee, A. cerana, does not collect resin or incorporate propolis in its nest - why not?  
Keywords : Apis mellifera, Honey bee product, Propolis