Journal of Entomological Research
SCOPUSWeb of Science
  • Year: 2025
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue: 3

Sustainable apiculture: Genetic and environmental determinants of honeybee health

  • Author:
  • B. Harinathan1, Debashish Hota2, Pratibha Satish Salve*, V. Ramesh Kumar3, Archana Singh4
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • Published Online: Sep 26, 2025
  • Page Number: 853 to 860

1Krishna Institute of Science and Technology, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth “Deemed to be University”, Karad, Satara - 415 539, Maharashtra, India, E-mail: hariinvisible@gamil.com

2Department of Fruit Science, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar - 751 030, Odisha, India, E-mail: ddebashishhota@soa.ac.in

3Department of Biotechnology, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai - 600 119, Tamil Nadu, India, E-mail: rameshkumar.biotech@sathyabama.ac.in

4Department of Agriculture, Noida International University, Greater Noida, Gautam Budhha Nagar - 201 310, Uttar Pradesh, India, E-mail: archana.singh@niu.edu.in

Department of Pharmacology, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth “Deemed to be University”, Karad, Satara -415 539, Maharashtra, India

*Corresponding authors' E-mail: salvepratibha@yahoo.in

Online published on 26 September, 2025.

Abstract

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) besides being great pollinators provide honey and other products of medicinal importance contributing towards national economy and farmers income. This study investigates the complex relationship between genetic and extrinsic elements influencing the health of honeybees. An insight to these elements will help one to properly maintain and preserve honeybee populations, which are declining at never seen rates. Many causes, including diseases, environmental changes, and personal behaviour, put their health in risk. It is underlined that increasing the resilience of honeybees depends on applying safe techniques in apiculture. The health of honeybees is largely influenced by genes that enjoy diversity and disease tolerance. Strong lines able to manage frequent hazards like the Varroa destructor mite have showed promise thanks in part to selective breeding projects. Also quite crucial are environmental elements such pesticide exposure, temperature fluctuation, and quality of the surroundings. Studies have indicated that minimising chemical exposure and increasing food availability help bee health and productivity. Using sustainable apiculture techniques that consider environmental and genetic aspects can help honeybee populations endure for a protracted period.

Keywords

Agriculture, Beekeeping, Biodiversity, Climate, Diseases, Environment, Genetics, Health, Honeybee, Nutrition, Pollination, Resilience