Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Honeybees of Asia pp 227–255Cite as

The Pollination Role of Honeybees

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

This chapter explains the role of honeybees, with special reference to Asian species, in pollination and so enhancing crop productivity and conserving biodiversity. The problems in natural pollination and agricultural systems, declines in the populations and diversity of natural pollinators and their causes are discussed. The chapter describes the advantages of Asian hive bees, Apis cerana, over European honeybees, Apis mellifera, in pollinating various crops, especially in mountain areas. The general principles of managing honeybee colonies for pollination are defined. Finally, the challenges and solutions to mainstream honeybees and beekeeping in agricultural and horticultural development policies and practises in Asia are described.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Agati G (1952) Indagini ed osservazioni sulla biologia fiorale della cipolla. Riv Ortoflorofruttic Ital 36:67–77 [in Italian]

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad R (1987) Honeybee pollination of important entomophilous crops. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council, Islamabad

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad F, Partap U, Joshi SR, Gurung MB (2002) Why the HKH region needs the Himalayan honeybee Apis cerana. ICIMOD, Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad F, Joshi SR, Gurung MB (2003) The Himalayan cliff bee Apis laboriosa and the honey hunters of the Himalayas. ICIMOD, Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Aizen MA, Fiensinger P (1994) Habitat fragmentation, native insect pollinators, and feral honeybees in Argentine ‘chaco serrano’. Ecol Appl 4:378–392

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alam MZ, Quadir MA, Ali MS (1987) Pollinating behaviour of honeybee. Apis indica F. and its influence on seed production of cauliflower. Bangladesh Hortic 15:25–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen-Wardell GP, Bernhardt R, Bitner A (1998) The potential consequences of pollinator declines on conservation of biodiversity and stability of food crop yields. Conserv Biol 12:8–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batra SWT (1995) Biology of Apis laboriosa Smith, a pollinator of apples at the high altitude in the Greater Himalaya of Garhwal, India. USDA Agricultural Research Series, Tektran

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohart GE, Nye WP (1960) Insect pollinators of carrots in Utah. Bull Utah Agric Exp Stn 419

    Google Scholar 

  • Bohart GE, Nye WP, Hawthorn LR (1970) Onion pollination as affected by different levels of pollinator activity. Bull Utah Agric Exp Stn 482

    Google Scholar 

  • Buchmann S, Nabhan GP (1996) The forgotten pollinators. Island, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • Cadoret JP (1992) Doorway doses help defeat honeybees’ vampire enemy. Ceres 24:8–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Caron DM, Lederhourse RC, Morse RA (1975) Insect pollinators of onion in New York State. HortScience 10:273–274

    Google Scholar 

  • Carreck N, Williams IH (1998) The economic value of bees in the UK. Bee World 79:115–123

    Google Scholar 

  • Deodikar GB, Suryanarayana MC (1977) Pollination in the services of increasing farm production in India. In: Nair PKK (ed) Advances in pollen spore research. Today and Tomorrow, New Delhi, pp 60–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhaliwal HS (1980) Ecology and relative efficiency of principal insect pollinators of Brassica seed crop. Thesis, HPKV, COA, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

    Google Scholar 

  • Dulta PC, Verma LR (1987) Role of insect pollinators on yield and quality of apple fruit. Indian J Hortic 44:274–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Eardley C, Roth D, Clarke C, Buchmann S, Gemmill B (2006) Pollinators and pollination: a resource book for policy and practice. African Pollinator Initiative, Pretoria

    Google Scholar 

  • Erickson EH, Peterson CE (1979a) Asynchrony of floral events and other differences in pollinator foraging stimuli between male fertile and male sterile carrot inbreds. J Am Soc Hortic Sci 104:639–643

    Google Scholar 

  • Erickson EH, Peterson CE (1979b) Problems encountered in the pollination of cytoplasmically male sterile hybrid carrot seed parents. In: Proceedings of 4th international symposium on pollination, Maryland, pp 59–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Forster IW, Clinch PG, Palmer-Jones T (1973) Observations on the pollination of chou moellier (Brassica oleracea L.). NZ J Exp Agric 1:46–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Free JB (1976) Insect pollination of tropical crops. Report of the Central Association of Beekeepers, UK

    Google Scholar 

  • Free JB (1993) Insect pollination of crops, 2nd edn. Academic, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Free JB, Williams IH (1973) The foraging behaviour of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) on Brussels sprout (Brassica oleracea L.). J Appl Ecol 10:489–499

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert FS (1980) Flower visiting by hover flies: morphology of mouth parts in relation to feeding on nectar and pollen in some urban species. Ecol Entomol 6:245–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta JK, Goyal NP, Sharma JP, Gautam DR (1993) The effect of placement of varying numbers of Apis mellifera colonies on the fruit set in apple orchards having different proportions of pollinisers. In: Proceedings of international symposium on pollination in the tropics, Bangalore, pp 197–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Gupta JK, Rana BS, Sharma HK (2000) Pollination of kiwifruit in Himachal Pradesh. In: Matsuka M, Verma LR, Wongsiri S, Shrestha KK, Partap U (eds) Asian bees and beekeeping: progress of research and development. Oxford and IBH, New Delhi, pp 169–170

    Google Scholar 

  • Hussein MH, Abdel-Aal SA (1982) Wild and honey bees as pollinators of 10 plant species in Assiut area, Egypt. Z Angew Entomol 93:342–346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jadhav LD (1981) Role of insects in the pollination of onion (Allium cepa L.) in the Maharashtra State, India. Indian Bee J 43:61–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapoor KS (1983) Foraging strategies and pollinating activities of Apis cerana indica F. and Apis mellifera L. on Brassica campestris L. var. botrytis. Thesis, HPKV, COA, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

    Google Scholar 

  • Kapoor KS, Dhaliwal HS (1989) Comparative energetics of Apis cerana indica F and A. mellifera L. on Brassica oleracea L. var botrytis. Indian Bee J 51:101–103

    Google Scholar 

  • Kenmore P, Krell R (1998) Global perspectives on pollination in agriculture and agro ecosystem management. In: Proceedings of the International Workshop on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Pollinators in Agriculture, 7–9 Oct 1998, Sao Paulo

    Google Scholar 

  • Kevan PG (1995) Insect pollination of economically important plants of tropical and subtropical Asia. In: Kevan PG (ed) The Asiatic honeybee: apiculture, biology and role in sustainable development in tropical and subtropical Asia. Enviroquest, Cambridge, Ontario, pp 129–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozin RB (1976) Pollination of entomophilous agricultural crops by bees. Amerind, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar J, Mishra RC, Gupta JK (1985) The effect of mode of pollination on Allium species with observations on insects as pollinators. J Apic Res 24:62–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar J, Mishra RC, Gupta JK (1989) Effect of honeybee pollination on onion (Allium cepa L.) seed production. Indian Bee J 51:3–5

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar J, Rao KVK, Gupta JK (1993) Amount of loose pollen on the body of bees visiting spring blooming crops. J Insect Sci 6:259–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar J, Rao KVK, Gupta JK (1994) Pollination efficiency of bees visiting blossom of Brassica campestris L. var. toria in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh, India. Indian Bee J 56:202–206

    Google Scholar 

  • Matheson AG, Schrader M (1987) The value of honeybees to New Zealand’s primary production. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Nelson, New Zealand

    Google Scholar 

  • McGregor SE (1976) Insect pollination of cultivated crop plants. USDA, Washington

    Google Scholar 

  • Mishra RC, Kumar J, Gupta JK (1987) Effect of mode of pollination on fruit characteristics of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. Proc Indian Natl Sci Acad 53:157–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Morse RA, Calderone NW (2001) The value of honeybees as pollinators of US crops in 2000. Bee Cult 128:1–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Muhammad S, Gondal A, Manzoor UH (1973) Studies on the role of Apis indica F. in the pollination of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Linn) and radish (Raphanus sativus Linn). SU Res J (Sci Ser) 7:87–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Nabhan GP, Buchmann S (1997) The fraying web of life. In: World resources 2000–2001. UNDP, UNEP, WB, WRI, pp 136–138

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U (1998) Successful pollination of apples in Himachal Pradesh. Beekeep Dev 48:6–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U (1999a) Conservation of endangered Himalayan honeybee, Apis cerana for crop pollination. Asian Bee J 1:44–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U (1999b) Pollination management of mountain crops through beekeeping: trainers’ resource book. ICIMOD, Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U (2000a) Foraging behaviour of Apis cerana on sweet orange (Citrus sinensis var. Red Junar) and its impact on fruit production. In: Matsuka M, Verma LR, Wongsiri S, Shrestha KK, Partap U (eds) Asian bees and beekeeping: progress of research and development. Proceedings of 4th Asian Apicultural Association International Conference, Kathmandu, pp 174–177

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U (2000b) Pollination of strawberry by the Asian hive bee, Apis cerana F. In: Matsuka M, Verma LR, Wongsiri S, Shrestha KK, Partap U (eds) Asian bees and beekeeping: progress of research and development. Oxford and IBH, New Delhi, pp 178–182

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U (2000c) Foraging competition between Apis cerana and Apis mellifera and its impact on crop pollination. In: Matsuka M, Verma LR, Wongsiri S, Shrestha KK, Partap U (eds) Asian bees and beekeeping: progress of research and development. Oxford and IBH, New Delhi, pp 206–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U (2003a) Improving agricultural productivity and livelihoods through pollination: some issues and challenges. In: Waliyar F, Collette L, Kenmore PE (eds) Beyond the gene horizon. FAO, ICRISAT, Rome and India, pp 118–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U (2003b) Cash-crops farming in the Himalayas: the importance of pollinator management and managed pollination. In: Biodiversity and the ecosystem approach in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. FAO, Rome, pp 224–247

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Partap T (1997) Managed crop pollination: the missing dimension of mountain agricultural productivity. Mountain Farming Systems’ Discussion Paper, MFS 97. ICIMOD, Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Partap T (2000) Pollination of apples in China. Beekeep Dev 54:6–7

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Partap T (2001) Declining apple production and worried Himalayan farmers: promotion of honeybees for pollination. Issues in Mountain Development (IMD). ICIMOD, Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Partap T (2002) Warning signals from apple valleys of the HKH region: pollination problems and farmers’ management efforts. ICIMOD, Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Verma LR (1992) Floral biology and foraging behaviour of Apis cerana on lettuce crop and its impact on seed production. Prog Hortic 24:42–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Verma LR (1994) Pollination of radish by Apis cerana. J Apic Res 33:237–241

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Shukla AN, Verma LR (2000a) Pollination of peach and plum by Apis cerana. In: Matsuka M, Verma LR, Wongsiri S, Shrestha KK, Partap U (eds) Asian bees and beekeeping: progress of research and development. Oxford and IBH, New Delhi, pp 171–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Shukla AN, Verma LR (2000b) Comparative attractiveness of broad-leaf mustard, cauliflower and radish to Apis cerana in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. In: Proceedings of the 4th Asian apicultural association international conference, Kathmandu, pp 203–205

    Google Scholar 

  • Partap U, Partap T, Yoghua H (2001) Pollination failure in apple crop and farmers’ management strategies in Hengduan, China. Acta Hortic 561:225–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Pechhacker H, Joshi SR, Chatt A (2001) Traditional beekeeping in rural areas: a comparison between Apis cerana beekeeping in Nepal and Apis mellifera beekeeping in Morocco. Bee World 82:99–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Prescott-Allen R, Prescott-Allen C (1990) How many crops plants feed the world? Conserv Biol 4:365–374

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Priti, Sihag RC (1997) Diversity, visitation frequency, foraging behaviour and pollinating efficiency of insect pollinators visiting cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis cv. Hazipur Local) blossoms. Indian Bee J 59:230–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Proctor M, Yeo P, Lack A (1996) The natural history of pollination. Harper Collins, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Radchenko TG (1966) Role of honeybees as pollinators in increasing the seed crop from cabbage and radish. Bdzhilnitstvo 72–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Rao GM, Suryanarayana MC (1989) Effect of honeybee pollination on seed yield in onion (Allium cepa L.). Indian Bee J 50:9–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauala TS (1972) Pollination studies in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.). J Res Punjab Agric Univ 9:580–585

    Google Scholar 

  • Sakagami SF, Matsumura T, Ito K (1980) Apis laboriosa in the Himalaya, the little known world’s largest honeybee (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Insecta Matsumurana NS 19:47–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma HK (1990) Floral resources and foraging characteristics of hive bees. Thesis, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharma PL, Dhaliwal HS, Kakar KL (1974) Insect visitors and pollinators of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) seed crop bloom. Himachal J Agric Res 2:74–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Sihag RC (1986) Insect pollination increases seed production in cruciferous and umbelliferous crops. J Apic Res 25:21–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Sihag RC, Rathi A (1994) Diversity, abundance, foraging behaviour and pollinating efficiency of different bees visiting pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill sp.) blossoms. Indian Bee J 56:187–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh Y (1997) Role of honeybees in farm production, agricultural growth and rural reconstruction in India. Indian Bee J 59:24–30

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh JP, Dharmwal SS (1970) The role of honey bees in seed setting on onion at Pant Nagar, District Nainital, India. Indian Bee J 32:23–27

    Google Scholar 

  • Singh MP, Singh KI, Devi CS (2000) Role of Apis cerana pollination on yield and quality of rapeseed and sunflower crops. In: Matsuka M, Verma LR, Wongsiri S, Shrestha KK, Partap U (eds) Asian bees and beekeeping: progress of research and development. Oxford and IBH, New Delhi, pp 186–189

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanda AS (1984) Insect pollination in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). In: Proceedings of the 3rd orient entomology symposium, Kariavattom, India, p 25

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanda AS (1985) Floral biology, pollen disposal and foraging behaviour of honeybees in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus). J Apic Res 24:225–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Tewari GN, Singh K (1983) Studies on insect pollinators in relation to seed production in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.). Indian Bee J 45:54–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Treherne RC (1923) The relation of insects to vegetable seed production. Rep Queb Soc Protect Plants Ann Rep 15:47–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Trofimec NK (1940) The biology and fertilization in Allium. Vest Sots Rasteniev Rasten 5:76–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Underwood BA (1986) The natural history of Apis laboriosa Smith in Nepal. Thesis, Cornell University, Ithaca

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma LR (1990) Beekeeping in integrated mountain development: economic and scientific perspectives. Oxford and IBH, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma LR, Partap U (1993) The Asian hive bee, Apis cerana, as a pollinator in vegetable seed production. ICIMOD, Kathmandu

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma LR, Partap U (1994) Foraging behaviour of Apis cerana on cabbage and cauliflower and its impact on seed production. J Apic Res 33:231–236

    Google Scholar 

  • Verma LR, Rana RS (1994) Further studies on the behaviour of Apis cerana and Apis mellifera foraging on apple flowers. J Apic Res 33:175–179

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite MB (1895) The pollination of pear flowers. Veg Path Bull 5, USDA

    Google Scholar 

  • Winston ML, Scott CD (1984) The value of bee pollination to Canadian agriculture. Can Beekeep 11:134

    Google Scholar 

  • Woyke HW (1981) Some aspects of the role of the honeybee in onion seed production in Poland. Acta Hortic 111:91–98

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu YR, Kuang BY (1987) Two small species of honeybees: a study of genus Micrapis. Bee World 68:152–155

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Honeybees Project, Sustainable Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction Programme, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal

    Uma Partap

Authors
  1. Uma Partap
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uma Partap .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    H. Randall Hepburn

  2. , Department of Statistics, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    Sarah E. Radloff

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Partap, U. (2011). The Pollination Role of Honeybees. In: Hepburn, H., Radloff, S. (eds) Honeybees of Asia. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16422-4_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation