Investigations on Beekeeping and Breeding of Apis cerana in China

The worldwide value of the honey bee as an agricultural animal is increasingly being recognized. Not only does the honey bee directly produce useful agricultural products, but also large portions of crops are dependent on the pollination activities of honey bees. <i>Apis cerana</i> (<i>A. cerana</i>), the native honey bee of China, is widely distributed in the country. Studying the biological environment and colony management of <i>A. cerana</i> is important for its conservation and breeding. This study investigated the apiculture of <i>A. cerana</i> among a total of 201 beekeepers in the eastern, southern, northwestern and central regions of China and conducted data analysis on the surveyed data. The results showed that the most favorite traits for beekeepers are colony size, colony health and honey production. Compared with <i>Apis mellifera ligustica</i>, <i>A. cerana</i> is more adaptable to low temperature and scattered nectar sources. The results help to optimize the breeding programs of <i>A. cerana</i> and further contribute to substantive breeding accomplishments with honey bees which have enhanced their role in modern agriculture.