THE DIVERSITY OF HONEY BEES AND SIGNIFICANCE OF HONEY

PRODCTION IN KEEZHOOR REGION-KOTTAYAM

Nimmy Thomas

B.Ed Student- Natural Science

Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education for Women- Kottayam

ABSTRACT
Kerala being a major tropical ecosystem is characterized by rich
biodiversity with abundant scope for natural products. In India, Kerala is the state that produces
the largest quantity of honey. But the quality is inferior and this has reduced the price of Kerala
honey in Indian Market. Ignorance of important honey flora, their flowering seasons and rearing
details contribute much to this factor. Honeybees are the only members of the pollinating
insects that offer opportunities for management and manipulation by man. The need for
exploiting this avenue is realistic. They act as cost free bio-inputs in farming and forest systems
and increase cross pollination in cultivated as well as wild plant species.

INTRODUCTION

Honey bees play an important role in the creation and conservation of biodiversity. They
played an important role in the evolution of many plant species. They help in pollination of
wild fruits and trees. Their role in enhancing the yield of horticultural crops and other
cultivated crops is well recognized. Diversity in Honey Bees India is bestowed with diversity
in honey bee species. Almost all the honey bee species are found in the wild and have become
an indispensable part of the ecosystem. In addition to these species, the honey bees found in
different eco-zones have special characteristics.
The existence of honey bees is threatened by various factors. The use of
pesticides on agricultural and horticultural crops has devastating effects on honey bees. The
 honey bees are highly sensitive to pesticides and die when they come in contact with pesticide
residues

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE

Beekeeping has been carried out across many years in this place. It plays a critical
role in the livelihoods of the people. one, it is an income generating activity; two, medicinal
value of honey and other hive products is invaluable; three, it supports agricultural activities
through facilitating critical processes for example cross pollination and improves crop and seed
yield; four, it contributes immensely to forests conservation efforts and five, it facilitates
healthy linkages between biodiversity (insects and plants) toward sustainable livelihoods.
Diversity of honey bee and honey production has a great significance in this place. It plays a
great role in the life of the people. It gives meaning to their live hood.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The following objectives have been formulated for the present studies are

To know the characteristics of honeybees and the relationship to the environment.

To know the conservation and pollination services of honey bee and the production of
quality honey in this particular area.
To understand bees habitat and the social life.
To identify bees category and bees works.

METHODOLOGY

Honey bees species are found worldwide and can be seen in many different locations,. They are
most visible in summer and late spring, when new queens leave their old colonies along with
thousands of workers to build new nests. At this time, large groups of bees can be seen swarming
together to find a new nesting place. It takes a swarm approximately 24 hours to locate a new
nesting site.

ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

There were varieties of honey bees found in this particular area .The stingless bees identified
are
1. TRIGONA IRIDIPENNIES.
The little bees identified are
2. MELIPONI.
The rock bees identified are
3. APIS DORSATA.
Another little bees identified are
4. APIS FLORIA. are seen there.
These are the Indian bees normally seen in Kerala. They live in the trees, rocks and the ground.
The little bees called APIS FLORIA are the most economic bees cultivated by beekeepers. This
family includes the famous honey bees and they are highly social bees.

In this study, where i used data from typical small beekeeping farms
(he records in this study could not be obtained from official statistics records, but were
obtained on the basis of field research. The following data were collected from the researched
subjects: number of beehives, type of product, volume of production per beehive and value per
measurement unit. This kind of bee product requires specific application of apicultural
technological measures and adequate which have proved to be an advantage for the beekeeping
farm. Analysis of the available data was performed by applying analytical calculations of the
production of bee products in the natural conditions.

As many as twenty nine sub species are found under this family. There
are different varieties can live in almost any kind of climate. The only places bees do not live-
in the extreme cold places. The place where the study was taken found the minimum and
suitable for the bees. The course of the study made during day time. The
conclusion and summery of this study came to an understanding that bees
are sensitive not harmful. They are beneficial to the human being. When we
disturb bees they attack us. But when we take care of them bees are good
to us. The study was worthwhile to know bees world and bees nature.

CONCLUSION
 The study on diversity of honey bees and the significances of honey
production in keezhoor region kottayam found that the varieties of bees living in different
nests with suitable condition. Though the economic value is so high for honey, the business
attitude is not found here. That was the main reason made this study more meaningful.

The study identified many different bees specially the common bees which
can keep in the houses for economic purpose. The bees are well cared by the bee keepers. The
diversity of bees are more found to be in same place with not so much far away from each
other. A vast area has prepared only for the suitable survival of the bees.

REFERENCES

1) Theneechkalude Lokam written By, K. Thomas.

2) Gardens of Solitary Bees written By, Ramel, G.
3) Biodiversity of Bees written By, K.Thomas