Bookshelf

The Himalayan cliff bee Apis laboriosa and the honey hunters of Kaski

Faroog Ahmad, Surendra Raj Joshi and Min Bahadur Gurung

2003 52 pages £16.80 (€25.20) Code A175

Regular readers of BfD Journal are aware that ICIMOD based in Kathmandu, Nepal is undertaking a long-term project on indigenous honeybees (see page 7). One very important project objective is to understand more about the honeybee Apis laboriosa and its exploitation by Himalayan communities. Here are the first results of a study of Apis laboriosa in Kaski - the District in central Nepal whose main town is the popular tourist destination of Pokhara. Interviews with local honey hunters revealed that 26 cliffs in the District are sites for Apis laboriosa colonies: these sites were surveyed between September 2000 and August 2001, and the results are here presented. For each of the sites is given GPS data, number of Apis laboriosa nests, vegetation type, bee flora and other local details. Apis laboriosa is a migratory species and a calendar for the approximate time of year when the bees arrive and depart is shown, as well as the time of hunting of these nests.

This is followed by more information about honey hunting: the methods and equipment used, traditional beliefs, and weight of honey harvested - around three tonnes for this District during the survey. Finally there is discussion of social and economic aspects of the honey hunters, and consideration of honey hunting events as entertainment for tourists. Issues identified by the study and possibly leading to a decline in the populations of Apis laboriosa include: the transfer of ownership of bee cliffs from communities to the Forest Department; continued loss of biodiversity; and tourism tempting honey hunters to perform outside the usual season. This new text is elegantly presented, and raises important issues on which the project is continuing with further research.

Celle's melissopalynological collection - Africa

Katharina von der Ohe, Reinhard Fichtl and Werner von der Ohe

2003 234 pages £124.80 (€187.20) Code O110

A ring binder containing 200 data sheets, each giving pictures and morphological details of pollen from plant species collected predominantly in Eritrea and Ethiopia, but also in Malawi, Mauritius, Zambia, Zanzibar and Zimbabwe. Many of the plants, for example species of Azadirachta, coconut, Commelina, Eucalyptus, Grevillea, Moringa, Plectranthus, silk cotton, Syzygium, and Zizyphus, are common in other regions of the world.

In addition there is much useful supporting information explaining how the pollen pictures were produced, the terminology used to describe pollen grains' shape, a glossary of palynological terms, references and indices organised according to pollen grain outline (angular/circular/oval etc), aperture type, exine type, plant family and name. A useful reference work for people working on pollen identification and honey analysis.

The little book of bees

Karl Weiss

2003 106 pages Hardcover £19.20 (€28.80} Code W360

A beautifully presented book. It provides a thoughtful, precise and readable text that will be appreciated by anyone wanting to learn more about the many different kinds of bees, of which the best known honeybees and bumblebees are but a tiny minority. Karl Weiss's first six chapters describe concisely bees' place within the animal kingdom, what insects are, what is special about solitary and social bees, what ‘social' means in this context, and discussion of solitary bees, social bees, bumblebees and stingless bees. Chapter seven then approaches ‘the summit of social insect life’, the genus Apis - the honeybees. The final chapter gives details of how to provide nests for wild bee species, followed by a useful bibliography and index. Illustrated with excellent line drawings.

CD ROM

Bee plants of Bas Congo and southern Tanzania

Paul Latham

2003 £22.80 (€34.20) Code VID25

Paul Latham's two books Beekeeping and some honeybee plants in Umalila, southern Tanzania and Some honeybee plants of Bas-Congo Province, DR Congo including almost 200 marvellous photographs are now available on one CD Rom.

The results of a project to encourage beekeeping, conservation and the planting of useful bee plants in Bas Congo Province are described. Many plants mentioned are found throughout the humid, tropical regions of Africa and are listed in a botanical index. The conservation and planting of useful bee plants in the southern highlands of Tanzania is also encouraged. Pictures of 74 plant species and their value for bees are explained, as well as-the log hive beekeeping practised in the area.

The individual books are still available

Tanzania £39.70

(€72.60) Code L105 or Swahili edition L110

DR Congo £48.40 (€72.60) Code L115

Video Shelf

The story of the red mason bee Osmia rufa: pollination partners

Osmia Publications Ltd

2003 PAL/VHS Running time 31 minutes £11.95 (€17.95) Code VID26

Of the 255 bee species in the UK the most common and widespread is the red mason bee Osmia rufa. Nesting in the stems of plants, in wood borings or even nail holes, one of these largely unnoticed bees is said to do the pollinatory work of 120 honeybees.

Female red mason bees live for only 4-6 weeks during which time she builds three or four nests, holding an average of ten cells, each cell containing one developing bee. Mud is used as building material to make and seal individual cells within the nest. The mud is transported from the collection site to the nest as tiny balls, balanced on the ‘horns’ on the top of the female's head. To make one cell requires six trips to the mud collection point. Author Chris O'Toole shows us the progress of a nest in May containing pupated larvae that will be ready to emerge the following spring.

An entertaining and clearly explained insight into the life of this valuable insect.

GIFT PACKS - Oxford Bee Company

Each of these special packs includes a ‘nesting kit! intended to provide homes for red mason bees that occur throughout Europe and the Mediterranean region (and may be of use for other species in other regions}. This is a brown plastic tube filled with 30 thin cardboard tubes, each with a paper lining (see below). Also included is a brochure giving advice on setting up: place the nest so that it sheltered from wind, in a sunny position, at least 75 cm above the ground. Make your choice from these two packs - each presented attractively in a gift box:

Pack A

30 tube red mason bee nest plus the video The story of the red mason bee Osmia rufa: pollination partners (reviewed above) plus the book Wildflowers for wildlife

£24.95 (€36.40) Code VID26A

Pack B

30 tube red mason bee nest plus the book The red mason bee: taking the sting out of beekeeping* plus the book Wildflowers for wildlife

£15.95 (€23.90) Code O115A

*BIDJ 59 reviewed the book The red mason bee. It is available at £5.70 (€8.55) Code O115

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