Despite its economic usefulness, biodiversity of Asian hive bee Apis cerana is suffering precipitous decline and is threatened with extinction in its entire native habitat. Although a number of publications have appeared on honeybees in the market no attempt has been made to approach the subject in systematically and in a comprehensive manner in case of Apis cerana. There is still not enough knowledge on different facets of biological conservation, agricultural production and role in improving food security and livelihoods. An attempt has been made in Asiatic Honeybee Apis cerana to fill the gap by providing detailed information on different aspects of Apis cerana leading to sustainability and environmental protection.
Asiatic Honeybee Apis cerana discusses information on varied aspects of Apis cerana biology, biogeography, reproduction, genetics, molecular phylogeny, interaction with other species, floral resources, dance language, safety from pesticides, management problems, loss of genetic diversity, behavioural defence, role in food production, livelihood security and conservation strategies for protecting biodiversity and enhancing crop productivity. The compilation of Asiatic Honeybee Apis cerana is unique in the sense that in the context of pollinator decline over the world, conservation of this species will be a step for sustaining food security.
1. Introduction
2. Historical perspective
3. Biology of Apis cerana
4. Biogeography
5. Genetics and breeding
6. Reproductive biology
7. Pheromones
8. Molecular Phylogeny of Apis cerana
9. Interactions with other bee species
10. Dance language
11. Foraging
12. Floral resources
13. Pollination biology
14. Safety of bees in relation to pest management
15. Management problems
16. Population decline
17. Loss of genetic diversity
18. Diseases and enemies
19. Impact of climate changes
20. Behavioural defense against diseases and enemies
21. Ecological impacts of invasive alien species on bees
22. Conservation strategies
23. Livelihood security