Potential emerging constraints and management strategies of different honeybee species in Pakistan: A review

Abstract

The honey bee ( Hymenoptera Apidae ) is a valuable insect that can be found all around the globe, except in polar regions. Apis mellifera contributes over dollar 200 billion to the world’s economy annually. In Pakistan, pollination-dependent crops have a productivity worth of 1590 million US$, with 61 main crops relying on the pollination of honey bees. Loss of honeybees to a certain level may lead to starvation. In a developing country like Pakistan, it is an issue with food security. Many biotic and abiotic factors are challenging in brooding and rearing honeybees in the country. Excessive use of pesticides, lack of skilled personnel and deforestation is leading to a decline in the population of honeybees. While the need for honeybee products is tremendously increasing with every passing day. The country’s unique vegetative diversity has a significant ecological and economic impact on local wildlife conservation. If properly developed, it offers enormous potential for a long-term beekeeping enterprise. Beekeeping is primarily practiced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the central and northern areas of the Punjab provinces of Pakistan. Pakistani honey is well-known throughout the Middle East for its distinct flavor and high quality. Every year, Pakistan sells roughly 4000 tons of honey to Arab countries, costing about $ 23 million. This review study briefly describes different honeybee species’ potential constraints and management in Pakistan and will be helpful in developing a sense of awareness that conserving honeybees is a matter of food security.