Bee inventory in the Bicol Region (Philippines)

The Bicol Region is blessed with many indigenous bee species. With bee keeping as an emerging agro-based rural industry, information regarding their geographical distribution including occurrence of pests and diseases is needed. In 2005, Jovillano Mostoles et al. (CSSAC) identified the location and species of native bees and the distribution of feral colonies. The existing apiaries in Camarines and Albay were also assessed to general information on the number of colonies, method of beekeeping, and problems encountered by beekeepers. Factors affecting native bee growth and development and the pest and the diseases associated with them were also identified. Findings of the study revealed the following: Giant honeybee or 'pukyutan' (Apis dorsata), the Asian honeybee commonly known as 'liguan' (Apis cerana), stingless bees commonly known as 'lukot' (Trigona biroi) and another stingless bees commonly known as 'lukot' (Melipona sp.), were the native species found in Bicol. European honeybees (Apis mellifera), mixed with the native bees, were raised in the three apiaries in Camarines and Albay. A.cerana and T. biroi were commercially grown in apiaries in Guinobatan and Ligao City, Albay. Feral colonies of A.cerana, T. biroi, and A. dorsata were mapped out and found in the municipalities of Oas, Camalig, Daraga, Tabaco, Malilipot, Bacacay, Guinobatan, Ligao, Pili, Baoa, Goa, Tigaon, Libmanan, Del Gallego, Sipocot, Naga City, Talisay, Daet, Vinzons, Mercedes, Juban, Irosin, Pilar, Casiguran, and Sorsogon City. In addition, Matnog, was reported to have an abundant supply of A. dorsata colonies. Molipona sp. was found only in Guinobatan, Albay and Goa, Camarines Sur. Beekeepers were trained on basic beekeeping. They hunted colonies for their stocks and hive bees in boxes and coconut shell having a distance per hive of 1.0-1.5 m away and 0.5-1.0 m from the ground. Harvesting was done every after 3 months depending on the availability of stored honey and pollen. Extraction of honey was done manually or using improvised extractors. Propolis was not harvested due to lack of information on the possible benefit to be derived from it. Growth and development of native bees was affected by environmental factors such as availability of nectar and pollen sources, pesticidal spraying, improper cultural management of colonies, and occurrence of pest and diseases. Native bees in the apiaries and in the wild were infested by: mites, predatory bugs, vespid wasp, dipteran, wax, moth, frogs, lizards, birds, chicken and a fungus. Results of this research on native bees must be disseminated to end-users through the conduct of trainings, seminars, and scientific fora, and production of technologies and other extension modalities. Unregulated importation of bees by other regions may lead to the depletion of the natural resources base of bees in the region. Likewise,there is a possibility of pests and diseases infestation if restrictions will not be made on the movement of the colonies. Therefore,conservation efforts must be intensified in the region. Moreover, marketing strategies and linkages must be established to support the growing industry.