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ISSN : 1225-0171(Print)
ISSN : 2287-545X(Online)
ISSN : 2287-545X(Online)
Korean Journal of Applied Entomology Vol.64 No.4 pp.385-394
DOI : https://doi.org/10.5656/KSAE.2025.11.0.041
DOI : https://doi.org/10.5656/KSAE.2025.11.0.041
Comparative Analysis of Colony Performance and Pollination Efficiency of Apis mellifera and Apis cerana under Environmental Variations in Greenhouse Strawberries
Abstract
Climate change and seasonal shortages of managed pollinators have increased the demand for alternatives in greenhouse strawberry production. The Asian honey bee (Apis cerana) has been proposed as a substitute for the western honey bee (Apis mellifera), yet direct comparisons under greenhouse conditions remain limited. From November 2024 to March 2025, colonies of both species were monitored in strawberry greenhouses in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam, South Korea for colony strength, foraging activity, and pollination efficiency. Colony strength declined in both species but was more pronounced in A. mellifera. Differences in foraging activity between species were evident only at midday and disappeared after standardized by colony strength. Flower visitation and pollination efficiency, measured as the proportion of normally developed achenes, showed no significant species differences, although per-visit efficiency tended to be lower in A. mellifera. Pollination efficiency was positively associated with foraging activity and negatively with colony strength. These results indicate that A. cerana maintains winter colony strength more effectively while providing comparable pollination services, supporting its potential as an alternative managed pollinator in greenhouse strawberry systems.
초록
Vol. 40 No. 4 (2022.12)
Frequency Quarterly
Doi Prefix 10.5656/KSAE
Year of Launching 1962
Publisher Korean Society of Applied Entomology
Online Submission
submission.entomology2.or.kr
KSAE
The Korean Society of Applied Entomology
