"Today, the entire Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is facing a near crisis situation, both economical and environmental. National development strategies in this region are therefore being reoriented with major emphasis on food, income, nutrition and ecological security, especially for the unprivileged. In this task, ICIMOD, has a special role to play. The primary objective is to promote economically and environmentally sound programmes for the socioeconomic upliftment of the mountain farmers living at or below subsistence level. Apiculture (Beekeeping) is one such activity which fits very well into the policies and programmes of ICIMOD in relation to sustainable development of mountain agriculture." "This book presents 20 successful beekeeping experiences of experts from various fields, from countries such as China, one of the major producers and exporters of honey and other hive products; from Himachal Pradesh in northern India, which has taken a lead in utilizing honeybees in apple orchards for pollination purposes to boost production and improve quality; and other such success stories which can be of help to other countries where initiatives have been taken to develop apiculture on modern scientific lines."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Proceedings of International Expert Meeting on Beekeeping Development in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region, held in Kathmandu during 21-23 June 1989, organized by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Ministry of Agriculture, Nepal, and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Role of Giant Honeybees in Natural and Agricultural Systems provides multidisciplinary perspective about the different facets of giant honeybees. Giant honeybees–Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa are excellent pollinators of crops, fruits, and vegetables in cultivated and natural lanscapes. Their large size, long foraging range, and large work force make them the most spectacular of all honeybee species for crop pollination and honey production. Due to their decline, ecosystems and global food security are being threatened. This book is the first of its kind which deals in detail on varied aspects of giant honeybee biology, management, conservation strategies for protecting biodiversity and enhancing crop productivity. It aims to promote a large, diverse, sustainable, and dependable bee pollinator workforce that can meet the challenge for optimizing food production in 21st century. SALIENT FEATURES: Covers the latest information on various aspects of biology of giant honeybees and brings the latest advances together in a single volume for researchers and advanced level students Provides an excellent source of advanced study material for academics, researchers and students and programme planners Provides an excellent source of livelihood in mountainous areas and marginal farmers Deals with biology, management and conservation strategies for protecting biodiversity and enhancing crop productivity Excellent pollinator of tropical and subtropical crops, fruits, vegetables, etc. less prone to diseases and enemies This book will be useful for pollination biologists, honeybee biologists, scientists working in agriculture, animal behavior, conservation, biology, ecology, entomologists, environmental biologists, etc.

Native bees are a hidden treasure. From alpine meadows in the national forests of the Rocky Mountains to the Sonoran Desert in the Coronado National Forest in Arizona and from the boreal forests of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to the Ocala National Forest in Florida, bees can be found anywhere in North America, where flowers bloom. From forests to farms, from cities to wildlands, there are 4,000 native bee species in the United States, from the tiny Perdita minima to large carpenter bees. This illustrated and colorful pamphlet provides valued information about native bees --over 4,000 in population --varying in a wide array of sizes, shapes, and colors. They are also different in their life styles, the places they frequent, the nests they build, the flowers they visit, and their season of activity. Yet, they all provide an invaluable ecosystem service - pollination -to 80 percent of flowering plants. Blueberry bees, bumble bees, yellow jacket bees, carpenter bees, and more are explored, including the differences in their gender, nests, and geographical regions that they visit.

A multi-authored work on the basic biology of Asian honeybees, written by expert specialists in the field, this book highlights phylogeny, classification, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, biogeography, genetics, physiology, pheromones, nesting, self-assembly processes, swarming, migration and absconding, reproduction, ecology, foraging and flight, dance languages, pollination, diseases/pests, colony defensiveness and natural enemies, honeybee mites, and interspecific interactions. Comprehensively covering the widely dispersed literature published in European as well as Asian-language journals and books, "Honeybees of Asia" provides an essential foundation for future research.