Abstract
Five main aspects of honey bee colony in Bangladesh viz status and distribution of natural hives ,bee keepers colony of Apis mellifera, constraint of beekeeping including the effect of agrochemicals on the mellifera bee were investigated during 2011-2015. Natural hives were maximum (410) for the species A. dorsata, and only a very few hives of A. cerana were found. Among 13 districts Tangail showed the highest number of hives followed by Mymensingh and other 11 districts. Among 27 thana highest incidence occurred in Gopalpur followed by Mymensingh Sadar and other thanas. Among 101 spots Alamnagar gave highest incidence followed by Pauli and other spots. Hive incidence of Apis dosata was exclusively dominant on trees followed by walls or bridge. Types of Apis dorsata habitat differed according to districts thana and spot. A total of 14 tree species were identified as support for hive formation of Apis dorsata and Akashi ( Acacia sp) showed highest incidence followed by Krisnchura (Delvergia sisoo) and other 12 tree species. There were significant variations of tree species-hive incidence due to various areas. Scientific measurements of length, width and height of natural hives were done successfully for the first time in Bangladesh using digital measuring camera (Canon EOS 70D Digital SLR Camera With 18-55 STM Lens). Hives were classified into five measurement categories which varied due to study area and habitat. Apis dorsata showed tremendous preference to build colony on the south side followed by east side, west side and north side. There was no relation of this trend due to study area, habitat and tree species.
Attempt to understand farmers perception about constraints in honey bee culture and honey production in Bangladesh successfully identified 11 clearly mentioned constraints viz weak marketing, low quality of honey product, absence of policy in apiculture etc. The study accumulated information on various personal issues of Apis mellifera farmers of 5 crop sources. Litchi provided highest number of farmers followed by mustard and other sources. Data showed that maximum farmers belonged to 31-40 age, almost all farmers had primary level education, maximum farmers were businessman, majority farmers were Muslims, mostly married with dominance of 6-10 year experience with apiculture. Among Apis mellifera farmers maximum came from Tangail followed by Satkhira and other 11 district. Similarly among 34 thana Gopalpur supplied the highest number of farmers in all the 5 crops followed by Shymnagar.