Janak Pant and Prava Dawadi

In Nepal the migration of honeybee species and its consequences (challenges and opportunities) were not sufficiently studied. So, a survey, field and laboratory study were conducted in Chitwan (Mid-Nepal) and Baitadi (Far-western Nepal) district to determine challenges and opportunities of two species of honeybee namely, Apis cerena (Asian honeybee) and Apis mellifera (European honeybee) in their elevational migration. The study was conducted in Chitwan and Baitadi districts of Nepal to collect the practical information from farmers on variation of production in rapeseed from 2019 to 2021 due to the migration of two species (i.e., A. cerena and A. mellifera) of honeybees. Secondary information was gathered from government stakeholders in the district. Field and laboratory study was carried out to understand the effect of elevation and relative humidity in the life span of worker honeybees. In absence or migration of A. cerena the species A. mellifera of honeybee significantly contributed to pollination and rapeseed production in Chitwan district. The average highest production of rapeseed was 780 kg/ha while lowest was 600 kg/ha in Chitwan district during different timespan. Similarly, during the migration period of A. mellifera the species A. cerena contributed to improving the production of rapeseed in the Baitadi district. The average highest production of rapeseed in Baitadi district was 650 kg/ha during the year 2019 and lowest of 490 kg/ha in 2021. With increase of elevation and decrease of relative humidity the life span of worker honeybees (both A. cerena and A. mellifera) gradually increased. Therefore, both the species A. cerena and A. mellifera have significant opportunities and challenges when they migrate from one place to another in Chitwan and Baitadi districts of Nepal.

DOI: 10.22271/23940522.2024.v11.i6b.1063

Pages: 99-102  |  80 Views  24 Downloads