Foraging resource partitioning between Indian native Apis florea and Apis cerana: unveiling entomological signatures in honey through honey DNA metabarcoding

Honey DNA metabarcoding provides precise and comprehensive data on the origins of honey and the plants that honey bees select for feeding. Honey produced by both Apis cerana and Apis florea, along with the determination of honey bee floral preferences, has the potential to assist researchers in strategically selecting appropriate plant species that can effectively enhance the growth and prosperity of honey bee colonies. Honey samples collected from 40 places in North Gujarat, India, was produced by two species of honey bees, A. cerana and A. florea. Physicochemical analysis of honey samples was performed, including characterization of pH, ash content, electrical conductivity, brix content, free acidity, protein, amino acids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic components, and sterol content. Using DNA metabarcoding techniques, an investigation was conducted to discern the nectar preferences of A. cerana and A. florea. The results of the DNA metabarcoding study demonstrated a consistent enrichment trend for 64 plant species across both honey bee species. The plant species Medicago hybrida had the highest abundance in honey produced by A. florea, but Picrasma quassioides was more abundant in honey produced by A. cerana. In addition, the sugar content of honey samples collected from both honey bee species was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPTLC). Our study's honey metabarcoding and physicochemical analysis effectively categorized and distinguished between the two honey samples and the activity of Indian native A. cerana and A. florea. This study emphasizes the potential of metabarcoding to identify the specific plant sources of honey and improve our knowledge of honey bee foraging habits. This information is vital for promoting the health and production of honey bee colonies.