effect of
Apis mellifera on ‘Ndigenous plant and in Japan animal species y Hideo Watanabe, Tokyo, Japan he first printed reference to bees in Japan is in AD 643, when the
for pollination of strawberries and melon in greenhouses has increased and the honeybee has become indispensable for our food supply.
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indigenous Japanese honeybees Apis cerana japonica were used for beekeeping. In 1876 a European race of
Japan has devoted 20.1% of its area to state forests. Many Japanese beekeepers prefer to raise their bees in these areas to remain in harmony with the nature that provides them with their livelihood, and also to carry out their unofficial
the honeybee Apis mellifera was first imported to Japan, along with European beekeeping technology, and now almost all beekeepers in Japan have Apis mellifera. While the effect of this introduced Apis mellifera on various indigenous species has been observed, it has never become a subject of discussion, probably for the following reasons: |.
custodianship as observers and preservers of these lands. There have been no readily observable untoward effects from the high activity of Apis mellifera in such areas.
Apis mellifera’s negative effect on indigenous life is negligible in comparison with the loss of trees, environmental pollution and use of agricultural chemicals in Japan.
Under the Beekeeping Promotion Law established in 1955, many government organisations, public bodies, universities and institutes began to co-operate with beekeepers. However, due to economic and ecological problems, bees and beekeepers are on the decline. From 10,918 beekeepers and 320,171 colonies in 1980 to 7,235 beekeepers and 214,112 colonies in 1995. It has become a national theme in Japan to improve the condition of beekeeping, which helps to improve the natural environment, food supply and human health.
2. Apis mellifera has not adapted itself to life in the wild. 3. There are many predators of
honeybees, including birds, bears, dragonflies, Galleria mellonella, preying mantis, spiders, toads, Varroa jacobsoni, Vespa mandarinia and Vespa xanthoptera. In addition Apis mellifera suffers from many diseases. 4. Despite these various problems, it is not difficult to raise bees and
produce high quality products. As a result of the decline in pollinating insects due to the widespread use of agricultural chemicals, honeybees are widely utilised in the pollination of crops and fruits. The use of honeybees
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Recently there has been discussion among ecologists that small, isolated islands such as Ogasawara could be disturbed through the introduction of Apis mellifera. However, as mentioned above, the main islands do not seem to have been affected.
If you want to know more about Apis cerana japonica there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion at the 5th
Asian Apicultural Association Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand in March 2000. Details in Look Ahead, page ||. Also, consider the book Wonders of the Japanese honeybee by Masami Sasaki reviewed in B&D53
A Bees for Development publication
Beekeeping for the Alleviation of Rural Poverty At the Apimondia Congress
in Canada African nations were called to work, to use beekeeping to alleviate poverty among rural communities. Beekeeping development methods must become sustainable and harmonise with the culture and aspirations of the people. Towards this end Apimondia's Standing Commission for Beekeeping for Rural Development appointed two Co-ordinators. Their task is to help ensure a strong representation of beekeeping from all African nations at the next Apimondia Congress taking place in Durban in September 2001. It is a great opportunity to show to the world what we have and what the future progress must be. in 1999,
Kwame Aidoo Ghana
—
B&D’s
Correspondent in
Apimondia vane Standing Commission for Beekeeping for Rural Development "
Ei
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Co-ordinators for Africa
Eastern and Southern Africa contact Liana Hassan E-mail nyuki-njiro@cybernet.co.tz
Northern and Western Africa contact Kwame Aidoo E-mail safeucc@gh.com If you do not have e-mail you can also contact Kwame and Liana c/o Bees for
Development. Information regarding the Apimondia Congress in South Africa is given in Look Ahead page 1, or see |
www.apimondia200I.com
