Impact of stress factors internal and external to the hive on honey bees and their reflection on honey bee products: a review

Abstract

Honey bees are one of the most beneficial insects on Earth with both their critical roles in pollination and health-promoting products. Honey bee products ranging from honey to bee venom containing various nutritional and/or bioactive constituents have been used since Ancient times as food, functional food, and remedy in the treatment of many diseases. However, many factors inside and outside the hive endanger the existence of bee colonies and negatively affect the quality of bee products. Furthermore, these stressors, when combined, result in a drastic decrease in honey bee populations, and/or beneficial honey bee products. This review attempts to provide an up-to-date literature summary for researchers who work on honey bees and their products, enlightening beekeepers about some incorrect practices, and summarizing the known threats external and internal to the hive for interested parties. First, in-hive stress factors, such as food shortage, diseases and pest infection affecting the viability, strength and health of honey bee colonies have been dealt with in detail. Undesirable beekeeping activities are also discussed in the context of in-hive stress factors. Then, the effects of stress factors outside the hive, such as climate change, habitat loss and environmental pollution, on honey bees have been examined. Finally, the effects of stress factors internal and external to the hive on honey bee products have been evaluated since their safety and quality depend on both the health of the colonies and environmental conditions.

Keywords:

• Apis mellifera
• colony loss
• hive products
• environmental pollution
• climate change
• habitat loss
• honey bee disease and pest
• beekeeping

Disclosure statement

The authors of this article declare that they have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit of Istanbul University [Project number: 34040]. It was also supported by Council of Higher Education (YOK) [100/2000] CoHE PhD Scholarship.