Determination of the Effects of Bee Venom Production on Aggression Behaviour and Colony Development Parameters in Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Colonies

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 22 Sayı: 4, 1035 - 1045, 03.10.2025

Melis Şevval Bahar , Banu Yücel

https://doi.org/10.33462/jotaf.1638551

Öz

Honeybee venom is a high value-added bee product obtained from honeybee colonies, which has therapeutic properties due to its high biological activity. However, there are limited studies on the bee venom production process. In this study, behavioural characteristics of colonies in bee venom production were examined bidirectionally to reveal the behavioural effect in the production process. It was found that the level of aggression of the colonies affected the quantity of bee venom produced and that aggressive behaviour changed before and after production in colonies used in venom production. During the research, the development of the colony population and the effectiveness of environmental factors were evaluated before and after the venom production period. In the experiment, 20 honeybee colonies with the same queen age and similar size in terms of worker bee population were divided into 15 treatment groups and 5 control groups. The research was conducted between the months of July-October. Bee venom production in the treatment colonies was performed using a bee venom production machine operating on the electroshock principle. In all experimental colonies, three aggression tests were performed: pre-production, post-production and 24 hours after production while control group colonies were tested for aggression at parallel times. Colony growth parameters were measured during the study period. The results of the study indicated a negative correlation between the level of aggression displayed by the colonies in bee venom production and the amount of venom produced. The results showed that bee venom production led to an increase in aggression behaviour the colonies and resulting in a statistically significant (p<0.05) difference in colony population development. The results of the study showed the importance of planning the colony management practices considering that the aggressive behaviour will increase during the venom production process. In addition, the results of the study reveal that colony development varies with the effect of environmental factors and seasonal cycle.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Honeybee , Bee venom production , Electroshock method , Colony defence , Colony development

Etik Beyan

There is no need to obtain permission from the ethics committee for this study.

Destekleyen Kurum

Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit

Proje Numarası

27407

Teşekkür

This study was supported by Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit as Scientific Research Project No. 27407.

Bal Arısı (Apis mellifera L.) Kolonilerinde Arı Zehri Üretiminin Hırçınlık Davranışı ve Koloni Gelişim Parametreleri Üzerine Etkilerinin Belirlenmesi

Öz

Arı zehri, bal arısı kolonilerinden üretilen, sahip olduğu yüksek biyolojik aktivitesiyle terapötik özelliklere ve yüksek katma değere sahip bir üründür. Ancak arı zehri üretimi süreciyle ilgili çalışmalar kısıtlı düzeyde bulunmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, arı zehri üretiminde kolonilerin davranışsal özelliklerinden hırçınlık davranışı çift yönlü bir şekilde incelenerek üretim sürecinde davranışsal etkinin ortaya konulması hedeflenmiştir. Bu amaçla, arı zehri miktarına kolonilerin hırçınlık seviyelerinin etkisi, zehir üretiminde kullanılan kolonilerin üretim öncesinde ve sonrasında hırçınlık davranışı değişimi ele alınmıştır. Araştırma süresince, zehir üretim dönemi öncesi ve sonrasındaki süreçlerde koloni popülasyon gelişimleri ile çevresel faktörlerin etkinliği değerlendirilmiştir. Denemede, aynı ana arı yaşına sahip ve işçi arı popülasyonu bakımından benzer büyüklükte 20 adet bal arısı kolonisinin 15’i uygulama grubu, 5’i kontrol grubu olarak ayrılmıştır. Temmuz-Ekim ayları arasında zehir üretimi yapılarak veriler elde edilmiştir. Uygulama kolonilerinde elektroşok yöntemi prensibiyle çalışan kovan üstü arı zehri üretim makinesi kullanılmıştır. Deneme kolonilerinin hepsine üretim öncesi, üretimin hemen sonrası ve üretimden 24 saat sonra olacak şekilde üçer kez hırçınlık testi uygulanmıştır. Kontrol grubu kolonilerinde zehir üretimi yapılmadan uygulama grubu kolonileriyle paralel zamanlarda hırçınlık testi uygulanmıştır. Deneme sürecinde koloni gelişim parametreleri kaydedilmiştir. Çalışmadan elde edilen sonuçlara göre, arı zehri üretiminde kolonilerin hırçınlık düzeyleri ile zehir miktarları arasında negatif bir korelasyon bulunduğu ortaya konulmuştur. Arı zehri üretiminin kolonilerde hırçınlık davranışını artırdığı ve koloni popülasyon gelişimlerinde istatistik olarak önemli (p<0.05) düzeyde farklılığa yol açtığı saptanmıştır. Elde edilen sonuçlar, zehir üretim sürecinde kolonilerde artan hırçınlık davranışı dikkate alınarak kolonilerin bakım ve yönetim uygulamalarının planlanmasının önemini, koloni gelişimlerinin çevresel faktörler ve mevsimsel döngünün etkisiyle farklılık gösterdiği ortaya koymaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Bal arısı , Arı zehri üretimi , Elektroşok yöntemi , Koloni savunması , Koloni gelişimi

Etik Beyan

Bu çalışma için etik kuruldan izin alınmasına gerek yoktur.

Destekleyen Kurum

Ege Üniversitesi Bilimsel Araştırma Projeleri Koordinasyon Birimi

Proje Numarası

27407

Teşekkür

This study was supported by Ege University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit as Scientific Research Project No. 27407.

Kaynakça

• Abd El-Wahed, A. A., Khalifa, S. A., Sheikh, B. Y., Farag, M. A., Saeed, A., Larik, F. A., Koca-Caliskan, U., AlAjmi M. F., Hassan, M., Wahabi, H. A., Hegazy, M. E. F., Algethami, A. F., Büttner, S. and El-Seedi, H. R. (2019). Bee venom composition: From chemistry to biological activity. Studies in Natural Products Chemistry, 60: 459-484.
• Ahmed, O., Fahim, H., Mahmoud, A. and Ahmed, E. A. E. (2018). Bee venom and hesperidin effectively mitigate complete Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis via immunomodulation and enhancement of antioxidant defense system. Archives of Rheumatology, 33(2): 198.
• Alqarni, A. S. (2020). Differential foraging of indigenous and exotic honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) races on nectar-rich flow in a subtropical ecosystem. Insects, 11(4): 254.
• An, H. J., Lee, W. R., Kim, K. H., Kim, J. Y., Lee, S. J., Han, S. M., Lee, K. G. and Park, K. K. (2014). Inhibitory effects of bee venom on Propionibacterium acnes-induced inflammatory skin disease in an animal model. International journal of molecular medicine, 34(5): 1341-1348.
• Argena, N., Tananaki, C., Thrasyvoulou, A., Goras, G., Kanelis, D. and Liolios, V. (2021). Seasonal variation on bee venom collection. The impact on some biological aspects on Apis mellifera. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society, 72(2): 2861-2868.
• Aydoğdu, G. (2022). The effects of bee venom production techniques on venom quality and amount (MSc. Thesis), Uludağ University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Bursa, Türkiye. (In Turkish)
• Badawy, E. A., El-Bassiony, M. N., Mahfouz, H. M., El-Enain, A. and Hamdy, T. (2016). Effect of some types of protein nutrition on the productivity of honeybee venom. Sinai Journal of Applied Sciences, 5(3): 385-392.
• Bogdanov, S. (2015). Bee venom: composition, health, medicine: a review. Peptides, 1: 1-20.
• Bogdanov, S. (2016). Bee Venom: Production, Composition, Quality. In: The Bee Venom Book, Bee Product Science. Ed(s): Bogdanov, S. Muehlethurnen, Switzerland.
• Breed, M. D., Guzmán-Novoa, E. and Hunt, G. J. (2004). Defensive behavior of honeybees: organization, genetics, and comparisons with other bees. Annual Reviews in Entomology, 49(1): 271-298.
• Cho, S. Y., Shim, S. R., Rhee, H. Y., Park, H. J., Jung, W. S., Moon, S. K., Park, J. M, Ko, C. N. and Park, S. U. (2012). Effectiveness of acupuncture and bee venom acupuncture in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, 18(8): 948-952.
• Cook, C. N., Durzi, S., Scheckel, K. J. and Breed, M. D. (2016). Larvae influence thermoregulatory fanning behaviour in honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). Insectes Sociaux, 63: 271-278.
• Doğaroğlu, M. (1981). Comparison of the performance of important bee breeds and types bred in Turkey under the conditions of Çukurova Region. (Ph.D. Thesis), Çukurova University, Adana, Türkiye. (In Turkish)
• Doğaroğlu, M. (2017). Modern Beekeeping Methods, Doğa Beekeeping, Tekirdağ, Türkiye. (In Turkish)
• Döke, M. A., Frazier, M. and Grozinger, C. M. (2015). Overwintering honeybees: biology and management. Current Opinion in Insect Science, 10: 185-193.
• El-Bahnasy, S. A., Mahfouz, H. M., El-Shibiny, A. A. and El-Bassiony, M. N. (2017). Effect of some factors on honeybee venom production from different strains. Sinai Journal of Applied Sciences, 6(1): 59-66.
• El-Saeady, A. A., Diab, A., Shehata, I. A. A., Nafea, E. A. and Metwaly, A. A. A. (2016). Effect of bee venom collecting on the behavior of honeybee colonies. Journal of Plant Protection and Pathology, 7(6): 347– 351.
• Guzman-Novoa, E., Hunt, G. J., Uribe, J. L., Smith, C. and Arechavaleta Velasco, M. E. (2002). Confirmation of QTL effects and evidence of genetic dominance of honeybee defensive behavior: results of colony and individual behavioral assays. Behavior Genetics, 32: 95-102.
• Hauser, R. A., Daguio, M., Wester, D., Hauser, M., Kirchman, A. and Skinkis, C. (2004). Bee-venom therapy for treating multiple sclerosis: a clinical trial. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 7(1): 37-45.
• Hider, R. C. (1988). Honeybee venom: a rich source of pharmacologically active peptides. Endeavour, 12(2): 60-65.
• Hozzein, W. N., Badr, G., Badr, B. M., Allam, A., Al Ghamdi, A., Al-Wadaan, M. A. and Al-Waili, N. S. (2018). Bee venom improves diabetic wound healing by protecting functional macrophages from apoptosis and enhancing Nrf2, Ang-1 and Tie-2 signaling. Molecular Immunology, 103: 322-335.
• Kaftanoğlu, O., Kumova, U. and Bek, Y. (1993). Determination of The Performance of Various Honeybee (Apis mellifera.L) Breeds in GAP Region and The Possibilities of Breeding of Existing Bee Breeds in The Region. Çukurova Univesity Faculty of Agriculture GAP Publishing, Adana, Türkiye. (In Turkish).
• Kekeçoğlu, M., Bir, S. and Kambur Acar, M. A (2023). New morphometric approach to discriminate honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) populations in Türkiye. Journal of Tekirdag Agricultural Faculty, 20(3): 653-662.
• Khodairy, M. M., Hussein, M. H., Nafady, A. A. and Eslam, M. O. (2010). some factors affecting venom productivity by electrical impulses from honeybee colonies. Assiut Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 41(2): 1-12.
• Kim, J. I., Yang, E. J., Lee, M. S., Kim, Y. S., Huh, Y., Cho, I. H., Kang, S. and Koh, H. K. (2011). Bee venom reduces neuroinflammation in the MPTP-induced model of Parkinson's disease. International Journal of Neuroscience, 121(4): 209-217.
• Krell, R. (1996). Value-added products from beekeeping Food and Agriculture Organization, Agricultural Services Bulletin No. 124, Rome, Italy.
• Kronenberg, F. and Heller, H. C. (1982). Colonial thermoregulation in honeybees (Apis mellifera). Journal of comparative physiology, 148: 65-76.
• Lee, H., Bae, S. K., Pyo, M., Heo, Y., Kim, C. G., Kang, C. and Kim, E. (2015). Antiwrinkle effect of PLA2-free bee venom against UVB-irradiated human skin cells. Journal of Agriculture and Life Science, 49: 125-135.
• Lee, S. H., Hong, S. J., Kim, S. Y., Yang, H. I., Lee, J. D., Choi, D. Y., Lee, D. I., Lee, Y. H. and Lee, J. D. (2003). Randomized controlled double blind study of bee venom therapy on rheumatoid arthritis. Journal of Acupuncture Research, 20(6): 80-88.
• Nalbantsoy, A., Varol, E., Çağlar, A. D. and Yücel, B. (2024). Cytotoxic and apoptotic effectiveness of Cypriot honeybee (Apis mellifera cypria) venom on various cancer cells. Turkish Journal of Biochemistry, 49(3): 446-454.
• Ohashi, M., Okada, R., Kimura, T. and Ikeno, H. (2009). Observation system for the control of the hive environment by the honeybee (Apis mellifera). Behavior Research Methods, 41(3): 782-786.
• Omar, E. M. (2020). Anticipated factors affecting extraction of venom from honey bees colonies by electrical impulses. Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology, 13(4): 213-220.
• Orsolic, N. (2012). Bee venom in cancer therapy. Cancer and Metastasis Reviews, 31: 173-194.
• Pucca, M. B., Cerni, F. A., Oliveira, I. S., Jenkins, T. P., Argemí, L., Sørensen, C. V., Ahmadi, S., Barbosa, J. E. and Laustsen, A. H. (2019). Bee updated: current knowledge on bee venom and bee envenoming therapy. Frontiers in Immunology, 10: 2090.
• Şeker, İ., Köseman, A., Karlıdağ, S. and Aygen, S. (2017). Beekeeping activities II: The evaluation of beekeeping activities in terms of beekeeper preferences, production quality and bee diseases in Malatya province. Journal of Tekirdağ Faculty of Agriculture, 14(2): 54-63. (In Turkish)
• Shafaghat, F. and Zwiener, R. D. (2018). Immunology of bee venom. Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology, 54(3): 386-396.
• Simics, M. (1999). Commercial Bee Venom Collection. Apitronic Services, Reprint, No. AO002, Canada.
• Stort, A. C. (1974). Genetic study of aggresiveness of two subspecies of Apis mellifera in Brazil.1. Some tests to measure aggressiveness. Journal of Apicultural, 13(1): 33-38.
• Stort, A. C. and Gonçalves, L. S. (1991). Genetics of Defensive Behavior II. En The “African” Honeybee, CRC Press, U.S.A.
• Teoh, A. C. L., Ryu, K. H. and Lee, E. G. (2017). One-step purification of melittin derived from Apis mellifera bee venom. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 27(1): 84-91.
• Tolon, B. (2000). Bee Venom Production Technology, Preservation and Marketing, Agricultural Extension and Applied Research Project Aegean-Marmara Region year of 2000 Livestock Information Exchange Meeting. P. 1-12, 25-27 April, İzmir, Türkiye. (In Turkish)
• Varol, E. and Yücel, B. (2023). Impact of Environmental Factors on Bee Venom Production and Quality. 5th International Conference on Global Practice of Multidisciplinary Scientific Studies. P. 445-455, 10-12 December, Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Vetter, R. S. and Visscher, P. K. (1998). Bites and stings of medically important venomous arthropods. International Journal of Dermatology, 37(7): 481-496.
• You, C. E., Moon, S. H., Lee, K. H., Kim, K. H., Park, C. W., Seo, S. J. and Cho, S. H. (2016). Effects of emollient containing bee venom on atopic dermatitis: A double blinded, randomized, base-controlled, multicenter study of 136 patients. Annals of Dermatology, 28(5): 593-599.
• Yücel, B. (2021). Bee Venom Production Techniques Suitable for Medical Use. Future Perspectives of Turkish Beekeeping Conference, Muş Alparslan University, P. 12, 23 October, Muş, Türkiye. (In Turkish)
• Yücel, B. and Varol, E. (2023). Innovative using facilities of bee venom. Works of the Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Sarajevo, LXVIII(73-1): 185-191.
• Yücel, B. and Varol, E. (2024). Bee Venom Production: Pros and Cons. ICBEES Third International Congress on Bee Sciences, P. No: 9027100., 24-26 April, Kyrgyzstan.