Worldwide, French beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.), tomato Solanum lycopersicum and kales Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala ) are considered economically important food crops. There is a rapid decline in their yield due to severe soil degradation. Thus, high commercial fertilizer inputs crucial, though they remain expensive inaccessible resource poor farmers. We investigated the comparative performance of composted black soldier fly frass (BSFFF), conventionally brewer's spent grain (BSG),...

Although the black soldier fly frass fertiliser (BSFFF) is globally recognised as a promising and potential high-quality organic fertiliser, there inadequate information on its impact growth performance nutritional status of maize. Furthermore, no exist their combination with mineral (NPK) well economic maize production. This study evaluated comparative BSFFF, NPK commercial (Evergrow ® ) growth, nitrogen use efficiency, yield, quality, profitability under greenhouse conditions. The...

Bee keeping is indispensable to global food production. It an alternate income source, especially in rural underdeveloped African settlements, and important forest conservation incentive. However, dwindling honeybee colonies around the world are attributed pests diseases whose spatial distribution influences not well established. In this study, we used remotely sensed data improve reliability of pest ecological niche (EN) models attain reliable maps. Occurrence on four (Aethina tumida,...

Abstract A study was carried out in K akamega forest, the western region of enya, to evaluate effectiveness stingless bee H ypotrigona gribodoi ( M agretti, 1884) on pollination green pepper. Three treatments were applied and consisted self‐pollination, by feral pollinators open field . a net cage. The differences fruit yield seed quality compared among treatments. Flowers pollinated produced heaviest fruits with highest numbers followed lastly self‐pollinated flowers. Moreover, seeds...

Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) are the most diverse group of corbiculate and important managed wild pollinators distributed in tropical subtropical regions globe. However, little is known about their associated beneficial microbes that play major roles host nutrition, detoxification, growth, activation immune responses, protection against pathogens sister groups, honeybees bumble bees. Here, we provide an initial characterization gut bacterial microbiota eight stingless bee species from...

An increasing demand for pollination services highlights the need research on alternative pollinators greenhouse and open field food crops. We compared foraging behaviour effectiveness of seven endemic African Meliponinae (Meliponula bocandei, Dactylurina schmidti, Plebeina hildebrandti, Meliponula lendliana, Hypotrigona gribodoi, ferruginea, togoensis) as to honey bees cultivated Cantaloupe melons. It was observed that started sooner after introduction in (av. 4 days) than stingless bee...

Stingless bees are important pollinators of wild plants and crops. The identity stingless bee species in Africa has not been fully documented. present study explored the utility morphometrics DNA barcoding for identification African populations, to further employ these tools identify potential cryptic variation within species. samples were collected from three ecological zones, namely Kakamega Forest, Mwingi Arabuko-Sokoke which geographically distant cover high, medium low altitudes,...

Honey collection evolved from simple honey hunting to the parallel and independent domestication of different species bees in various parts world. In this study, we investigate extent which composition Apis stingless bee honeys has been a driver selection for Mesoamerica (Mexico) Asia (Thailand) using sampling design that combines peak profiling by H1 NMR spectroscopy with domesticated undomesticated species. Our results show that, independently region world considered, produce whose...

Across an elevation gradient, several biotic and abiotic factors influence community assemblages of interacting species leading to a shift in distribution, functioning, ultimately topologies interaction networks. However, empirical studies climate-driven seasonal elevational changes plant-pollinator networks are rare, particularly tropical ecosystems. Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspots Kenya, East Africa. We recorded plant-bee interactions at 50 study sites between 515 2600 m asl for...

Stingless bee honey (SBH) is a natural remedy and therapeutic agent traditionally used by local communities across the (sub-)tropics. Forest SBH represents prime non-timber forest product (NTFP) with potential to revitalize indigenous foodways generate income in rural areas, yet it also variety of non-food contexts that are poorly documented sub-Saharan Africa collectively represent significant part traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) passed on generations. Documenting TEK African...

This paper reviews edible insect species and the host plant diversity associated with them in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including their seasonal availability throughout year. Entomophagy practices are mapped on country scale nationwide patterns consumption explored. Moreover, motives for consumer acceptance (or rejection) insects as food reported based survey data focus groups. The also points out research gaps (concerning notably food-safety risk to local effects processing...

Stingless/meliponine bees are eusocial insects whose polylactic nature enables interaction with a wide variety of wild plants and crops that enhance pollination and, hence, support ecosystem services. However, their true potential regarding services honey production is yet to be fully recognized. Worldwide, there over 800 species meliponine bees, 20 documented on the African continent. Out these, only 12 have been well in Kenya. Moreover, interest has increased amid climate change,...

Abstract Recent studies have shown that honey bees, bumble and some meliponine bee species of the genera T rigona , M eliponula D actylurina are hosts small hive beetle ( SHB ) A ethina tumida urray C oleoptera: N itidulidae), a pest colonies in various regions world. Olfaction has been implicated infestations colonies. We used olfactometer bioassays to investigate responses adult male female s odors from intact separate components (pot honey, pot pollen, cerumen, propolis) three African...

The current honey bee decline necessitates the use of alternative native pollinators to ensure global food security. Here, we compared pollination behaviour and efficiency African (Apis mellifera) six endemic Meliponini (Meliponula bocandei, Dactylurina schmidti, Meliponula lendliana, Hypotrigona gribodoi, ferruginea togoensis) in a greenhouse with non-parthenocarpic cucumber variety Super Marketer. Honey bees D. schmidti started foraging on introduction greenhouse, while M. lendliana...

Stingless bees are important pollinators of cultivated and wild plants, contributing significantly to biodiversity food security. Conserving pollinator plant interactions is essential secure these ecosystems services. The use morphological features in the identification stingless genus Hypotrigona extremely difficult, due many similarities among species resulting taxonomic ambiguity. Here, we apply both traditional morphometrics DNA barcoding as complementary tools for three from Kenya:...

Abstract This study assessed the nontarget effect of entomopathogenic fungi on Western honey bee Apis mellifera L. and African stingless Meliponula ferruginea Cockrell (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Pathogenicity five Metarhizium anisopliae (ICIPE 7, ICIPE 20, 62, 69, 78) (Metschnikoff) Sorokin (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) one Beauveria bassiana 284) (Balsamo) Vuillemin Cordicipitaceae) isolates were evaluated bees at 108 conidia/ml. Conidial acquisition was immediately after exposure. acquired...

Abstract Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) provide pollination services to crops and produce high–quality honey. The application of agrochemicals during the management crop pests is an increasing threat pollinators ecosystem they provide. Biopesticides are considered as better alternatives; however, there limited evidence their impact on stingless bees. We evaluated effect most widely used African fungal biopesticide ( Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69) mortality, foraging behavior success...