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Iqbal J, Nazeer Hussain H, Latif M, Barjees Baig M, Owayss AA, Raweh HS, Alqarni AS. A field study investigating the insecticidal efficacy against Diaphorina citri Kuwayama on Kinnow mandarin, Citrus reticulata Blanco trees. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020; 27:1237-1241. [PMID: 32346330 PMCID: PMC7182991 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Asian citrus psyllid is a most damaging insect pest of citrus. In this field study, the efficacy of seven insecticides (emamectin benzoate, bifenthrin, chlorfenapyr, fipronil, imidacloprid, pyriproxyfen and thiamethoxam) was evaluated against Diaphorina citri Kuwayama in the citrus orchard of Kinnow mandarin, Citrus reticulata Blanco. The insecticides revealed a differential and substantial relative efficacy against D. citri compared to the untreated plants. The insecticidal effect attributed as percent reduction in insect population was more prominent after three days of spray: highest reduction values were recorded with thiamethoxam (50.89%), imidacloprid (44.27%) and bifenthrin (42.94%) after first spray, and thiamethoxam (83.36%), imidacloprid (73.20%) and bifenthrin (72.66%) after second spray. Thus, neonicotinoids (thiamethoxam and imidacloprid) and pyrethroid (bifenthrin) resulted as highly effective against D. citri at three days after both sprays. At seven days, imidacloprid (63.53%) and fipronil (62.47%) presented relatively higher population reduction after first spray, and thiamethoxam (92.66%) and chlorfenapyr (89.59%) after second spray. At 12 days, the insecticidal effect on insect population became significantly at par after each spray except chlorfenapyr that reflected high population reduction (93.17%) only after second spray. It is also obvious from the data that there is need of regular monitoring to suppress the psyllids population below threshold level by timely application of the second insecticidal spray.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javaid Iqbal
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Entomology, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Nazeer Hussain
- Department of Entomology, University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Latif
- Entomological Research Institute, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Mirza Barjees Baig
- Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman A Owayss
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hael S Raweh
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz S Alqarni
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Owayss AA, Elbanna K, Iqbal J, Abulreesh HH, Organji SR, Raweh HSA, Alqarni AS. In vitro antimicrobial activities of Saudi honeys originating from Ziziphus spina-christi L. and Acacia gerrardii Benth. trees. Food Sci Nutr 2020; 8:390-401. [PMID: 31993165 PMCID: PMC6977423 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.1320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Honeys originating from Sidr (Ziziphus spina-christi L.) and Talh (Acacia gerrardii Benth.) trees in Saudi Arabia exhibited substantial antimicrobial activity against pathogenic gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus), gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis), and a dermatophytic fungus (Trichophyton mentagrophytes). The diameter of zones of inhibition represents the level of antimicrobial potency of the honey samples. Precisely, Talh honey showed significantly higher antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria than Sidr honey. The antifungal activity of Talh and Sidr honey types was significantly at par against a dermatophytic fungus. The water-diluted honey types (33% w/v) significantly induced a rise in the antimicrobial activity from that of the natural nondiluted honeys. Microbial strains displayed differential sensitivity; gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive and presented larger inhibition zones than gram-negative bacteria and the fungus. The sensitivity was highest in B. cereus and S. aureus, followed by T. mentagrophytes, E. coli, and S. enteritidis. The antimicrobial activity of water-diluted honeys (Sidr and Talh) was high than that of broad-spectrum antibacterial antibiotics (tetracycline and chloramphenicol) against bacterial strains, but these honeys were relativity less potent than antifungal antibiotics (flucoral and mycosat) against a fungal strain. Our findings indicate the antimicrobial potential of Saudi honeys to be considered in honey standards, and their therapeutic use as medical-grade honeys needs further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman A. Owayss
- Department of Plant ProtectionCollege of Food and Agriculture SciencesKing Saud UniversityRiyadhSaudi Arabia
- Department of Plant ProtectionFaculty of AgricultureFayoum UniversityFayoumEgypt
| | - Khaled Elbanna
- Department of Agricultural MicrobiologyFaculty of AgricultureFayoum UniversityFayoumEgypt
- Department of BiologyFaculty of Applied ScienceUmm Al‐Qura UniversityMakkahSaudi Arabia
- Research Laboratories CentreFaculty of Applied ScienceUmm Al‐Qura UniversityMakkahSaudi Arabia
| | - Javaid Iqbal
- Department of Plant ProtectionCollege of Food and Agriculture SciencesKing Saud UniversityRiyadhSaudi Arabia
| | - Hussein H. Abulreesh
- Department of BiologyFaculty of Applied ScienceUmm Al‐Qura UniversityMakkahSaudi Arabia
- Research Laboratories CentreFaculty of Applied ScienceUmm Al‐Qura UniversityMakkahSaudi Arabia
| | - Sameer R. Organji
- Department of BiologyFaculty of Applied ScienceUmm Al‐Qura UniversityMakkahSaudi Arabia
- Research Laboratories CentreFaculty of Applied ScienceUmm Al‐Qura UniversityMakkahSaudi Arabia
| | - Hael S. A. Raweh
- Department of Plant ProtectionCollege of Food and Agriculture SciencesKing Saud UniversityRiyadhSaudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz S. Alqarni
- Department of Plant ProtectionCollege of Food and Agriculture SciencesKing Saud UniversityRiyadhSaudi Arabia
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Alqarni AS, Ali H, Iqbal J, Owayss AA, Smith BH. Expression of heat shock proteins in adult honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) workers under hot-arid subtropical ecosystems. Saudi J Biol Sci 2019; 26:1372-1376. [PMID: 31762598 PMCID: PMC6864156 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2019.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat stress elicits the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) in honey bee subspecies. These highly conserved proteins have significant role in protecting cells from thermal-induced stresses. Honey bees in subtropical regions face extremely dry and hot environment. The expression of HSPs in the nurses and foragers of indigenous (Apis mellifera jemenitica) and imported European (Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis mellifera carnica) honey bee subspecies after heat shock treatment were compared using SDS-PAGE. Hsp70 and Hsp82 were equally expressed in the nurses of all tested bee subspecies when exposed to 40 °C and 45 °C for 4 h. The forager bees exhibited differential expression of HSPs after heat stress. No HSPs was expressed in the foragers of A. m. jemenitica, and Hsp70 was expressed only in the foragers of A. m. ligustica and A. m. carnica at 40 °C. A prominent diversity in HSPs expression was also exhibited in the foragers at 45 °C with one HSP (Hsp70) in A. m. jemenitica, two HSPs (Hsp40 and Hsp70) in A. m. carnica, and three HSPs (Hsp40, Hsp60 and Hsp70) in A. m. ligustica. No HSPs was expressed in the control nurse and forager bees at any of the tested temperatures. These findings illustrated the differences in HSP expression among nurse and forager bees. It is obvious that the native foragers are more heat tolerant with least HSPs expression than exotic bee races. Further investigations will help to understand the potential role of HSPs in the adaptability, survival, and performance of bee subspecies in harsh climate of the subtropical regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz S Alqarni
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussain Ali
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Entomology Section, Agricultural Research Institute, Tarnab, Peshawar, Pakistan
| | - Javaid Iqbal
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman A Owayss
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Brian H Smith
- Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, USA
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Awad AM, Owayss AA, Iqbal J, Raweh HSA, Alqarni AS. GIS Approach for Determining the Optimum Spatiotemporal Plan for Beekeeping and Honey Production in Hot-Arid Subtropical Ecosystems. J Econ Entomol 2019; 112:1032-1042. [PMID: 30753534 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toz002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) technology have seldom been used in apiculture. We applied these tools to map the optimum honey bee colony carrying capacity and estimate honey production during the honey flow of 'Talh' trees (Acacia gerrardii Benth. [Fabaceae: Mimosoideae]) in the Rawdat-Khuraim oasis, central Saudi Arabia . A SPOT 5 panchromatic image (2.5-m resolution) was used to delineate the distribution of Talh trees. ArcGIS was used in image processing and data management, analysis, and visualization. The outputs were maps of Talh distribution, an optimum spatiotemporal beekeeping plan, and predicted potential honey yield. Each Talh tree was predicted to produce a theoretical maximum of 8.5-kg Talh honey per season. Under the current nonoptimum distribution of apiaries, Rawdat-Khuraim produces 4,876-kg honey per season. Optimally, it should produce 9,619-kg honey per season from 1,278 colonies distributed in 12 beekeeping sites. This study provides a technical approach for the use of RS and GIS in describing, planning, and managing honey flows and predicting honey harvest through a spatiotemporal workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awad M Awad
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman A Owayss
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Javaid Iqbal
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Entomology, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Hael S A Raweh
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz S Alqarni
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia
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Iqbal J, Ali H, Owayss AA, Raweh HSA, Engel MS, Alqarni AS, Smith BH. Olfactory associative behavioral differences in three honey bee Apis mellifera L. races under the arid zone ecosystem of central Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2019; 26:563-568. [PMID: 30899172 PMCID: PMC6408714 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Apis mellifera jemenitica is the indigenous race of honey bees in the Arabian Peninsula and is tolerant to local drought conditions. Experiments were undertaken to determine the differences in associative learning and memory of honey bee workers living in the arid zone of Saudi Arabia, utilizing the proboscis extension response (PER). These experiments were conducted on the indigenous race (A. m. jemenitica) along with two introduced European races (A. m. carnica and A. m. ligustica). The data revealed that A. m. jemenitica is amenable to PER conditioning and may be used in conditioning experiments within the olfactory behavioral paradigm. The results also demonstrated that the three races learn and retain information with different capacities relative to each other during the experimental time periods. Native Arabian bees (A. m. jemenitica) exhibited significantly lower PER percentage during second and third conditioning trials when compared to exotic races. Apis mellifera jemenitica also exhibited reduced memory retention at 2 h and 24 h when compared to A. m. carnica and A. m. ligustica. Therefore, the native Arabian bees were relatively slow learners with reduced memory retention compared to the other two races that showed similar learning and memory retention. Three or five conditioning trials and monthly weather conditions (October and December) had no significant effects on learning and memory in A. m. jemenitica. These results emphasized a novel line of research to explore the mechanism and differences in associative learning as well as other forms of learning throughout the year among bee races in the harsh arid conditions of Saudi Arabia. This is the first study in Saudi Arabia to demonstrate inter-race differences regarding olfactory associative learning between native Arabian bees and two introduced European honey bee races.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javaid Iqbal
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hussain Ali
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman A Owayss
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hael S A Raweh
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael S Engel
- Division of Entomology, Natural History Museum, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.,Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, NY, USA
| | - Abdulaziz S Alqarni
- Melittology Research Lab, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Brian H Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, USA
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Hassan AM, Giovanetti M, Raweh HS, Owayss AA, Ansari MJ, Nuru A, Radloff SE, Alqarni AS. Nectar secretion dynamics of Ziziphus nummularia: A melliferous species of dry land ecosystems. Saudi J Biol Sci 2017; 24:1470-1474. [PMID: 30174491 PMCID: PMC6114115 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.01.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Nectar is used as raw material for the production of honey and as significant reward in the relationship between bees and plants during pollination. Therefore, it is important to investigate its abundance, dynamics and associated governing factors. Weather conditions are known to influence nectar production, and predicted climate changes may be responsible for future declining in total yield from beekeeping activities. We investigated nectar production as total soluble solids (TSS) of well-known species for honey production, Ziziphus nummularia in a hot-arid environment of Saudi Arabia. Data on nectar samples from bagged flowers of different stages during two blooming seasons, 2013 and 2015 were collected on weekly bases, and the data were correlated with weather conditions (temperature, relative humidity, and wind). A significant difference in TSS amount has been obtained, with 1-day old flowers displaying the higher content. TSS production was varied along the different day intervals, for both years, with a peak of production in the afternoon. In our results, nectar production was not correlated to temperature and wind, but was significantly negatively correlated with relative humidity. According to the current and future weather forecasting conditions, understanding of the relationship between weather conditions and nectar availability turned out to be important predictive information that may be interpreted into an economic projection of incomes from beekeeping activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awad M.A. Hassan
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Egypt
| | | | - Hael S.A. Raweh
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman A. Owayss
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Javed Ansari
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Bee Research Chair, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA
| | - Adgaba Nuru
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Bee Research Chair, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, KSA
| | - Sarah E. Radloff
- Department of Statistics, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa
| | - Abdulaziz S. Alqarni
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Adgaba N, Al-Ghamdi A, Tadesse Y, Getachew A, Awad AM, Ansari MJ, Owayss AA, Mohammed SEA, Alqarni AS. Nectar secretion dynamics and honey production potentials of some major honey plants in Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2017; 24:180-191. [PMID: 28053589 PMCID: PMC5198994 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The contribution of a bee plant species to honey production depends on the plant's nectar secretion quality and quantity, which is mainly governed by biotic and abiotic factors. The aim of the current study, was to investigate the nectar secretion dynamics and honey production potential of 14 major bee plant species of the target area. We examined the quantity and dynamics of nectar sugar per flower five times a day using a nectar sugar washing technique and direct measuring of nectar with calibrated capillary tubes. The average nectar sugar amount of the species varied from 0.41 mg/flower to 7.7 mg/flower (P < 0.0001). The honey sugar per flower was used to extrapolate the honey production potential per plant and per hectare of land. Accordingly the honey production potential of the species observed to vary from 14 kg/hectare in Otostegia fruticosa to 829 kg/hectare in Ziziphus spina-christi. The nectar secretion dynamics of the species generally showed an increasing trend early in the morning, peaking toward midday, followed by a decline but different species observed to have different peak nectar secretion times. Generally, the tree species secreted more nectar sugar/flower than the herbs. The nectar secretion amount of the species was positively correlated with the ambient temperature, indicating the adaptation of the species to hot climatic conditions. However, different species were observed to have a different optimum temperature for peak nectar secretion. Despite the limited rainfall and high temperature of the area, many plants were found to have good potential for honey production. The monetary value of honey per hectare of the studied honeybee plant species can be of equal or greater than the per-hectare monetary value of some cultivated crops that require numerous inputs. In addition, the information generated is believed to be useful in apiary site selection and to estimate the honey bee colony carrying capacity of an area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuru Adgaba
- Abdullah Bagshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed Al-Ghamdi
- Abdullah Bagshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yilma Tadesse
- Abdullah Bagshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awraris Getachew
- Abdullah Bagshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awad M. Awad
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad J. Ansari
- Abdullah Bagshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman A. Owayss
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Seif Eldin A. Mohammed
- Abdullah Bagshan Chair for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz S. Alqarni
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Ali H, Alqarni AS, Owayss AA, Hassan AM, Smith BH. Osmotic concentration in three races of honey bee, Apis mellifera L. under environmental conditions of arid zone. Saudi J Biol Sci 2016; 24:1081-1085. [PMID: 28663708 PMCID: PMC5478284 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2016.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemolymph osmolarity has great effect on honey bee health, especially in arid and semi-arid zones. It regulates water and nutrients in stressed tissues. Osmotic concentration in three races (Apis mellifera ligustica, A. m. carnica and A. m. jemenitica) of Apis mellifera was tested in central Saudi Arabia during spring and summer seasons in 2015. Newly emerged bee workers were first marked and later their hemolymph was extracted after intervals of 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days. A significant positive correlation between age and osmolarity was found in all three races during spring and summer seasons. The lowest combined osmotic concentration for all three races was found after 1 day interval, while the highest osmotic concentration was recorded after 25 days. Among all races, A. m. ligustica showed significantly high osmotic concentration after 25 days in spring and summer seasons as compared to the other two races. Only A. m. jemenitica showed similar osmotic concentration after 10 and 15 days in both spring and summer seasons compared to other two races. Mean osmotic concentration of all three races was significantly different after 20 and 25 days in spring and summer seasons. Overall mean recorded during summer was significantly higher than the mean of spring season. Combined osmotic concentration in young drones of all races was significantly lower than that of old drones during spring and summer seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Ali
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz S. Alqarni
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Corresponding author.
| | - Ayman A. Owayss
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Awad M. Hassan
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Brian H. Smith
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, USA
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Alqarni AS, Owayss AA, Mahmoud AA, Hannan MA. Mineral content and physical properties of local and imported honeys in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Saudi Chemical Society 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jscs.2012.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Alqarni AS, Balhareth HM, Owayss AA. Performance evaluation of indigenous and exotic honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) races in Assir region, southwestern Saudi Arabia. Saudi J Biol Sci 2013; 21:256-64. [PMID: 24955011 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2013] [Revised: 10/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted in the Assir region of southwestern Saudi Arabia to compare the activities of honeybee colonies of indigenous Apis mellifera jemenitica (AMJ) and imported Apis mellifera carnica (AMC) during the late summer and autumn of 2009 and 2010. The results showed that the workers of the two races exhibited relatively similar forage timings throughout the period of study (August-November). The highest numbers of foraged workers were recorded at 6:00 am, 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, while the lowest numbers were recorded at 8:00 am, 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Although foraging activity was negatively affected by decreased temperature, AMJ was more resistant to cold than AMC. In the first season, the smallest amount of worker brood rearing was recorded in August, and the highest amount of rearing occurred in November in both races. In the second season, the smallest amount of brood was observed in October, and the largest amount of brood was observed in November. Brood rearing and pollen collecting was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in AMJ compared with AMC, while AMC stored significantly (P < 0.05) more honey than AMJ during the tested periods. In AMJ colonies, a positive significant correlation was observed between the area of the sealed worker brood and stored pollen, while a negative but nonsignificant correlation was observed between the area of the sealed worker brood and surplus honey. In the AMC colonies, a positive significant correlation was observed between the area of the sealed brood and the stored pollen and surplus honey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz S Alqarni
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hassan M Balhareth
- Administration of Agricultural Extension, Ministry of Agriculture, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ayman A Owayss
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Hannan MA, Alqarni AS, Owayss AA, Engel MS. The large carpenter bees of central Saudi Arabia, with notes on the biology of Xylocopa sulcatipes Maa (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Xylocopinae). Zookeys 2012:1-14. [PMID: 22768000 PMCID: PMC3385845 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.201.3246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The large carpenter bees (Xylocopinae, Xylocopa Latreille) occurring in central Saudi Arabia are reviewed. Two species are recognized in the fauna, Xylocopa (Koptortosoma) aestuans (Linnaeus) and Xylocopa (Ctenoxylocopa) sulcatipes Maa. Diagnoses for and keys to the species of these prominent components of the central Saudi Arabian bee fauna are provided to aid their identification by pollination researchers active in the region. Females and males of both species are figured and biological notes provided for Xylocopa sulcatipes. Notes on the nesting biology and ecology of Xylocopa sulcatipes are appended. As in studies for this species from elsewhere, nests were found in dried stems of Calotropis procera (Aiton) (Asclepiadaceae) and Phoenix dactylifera L. (Arecaceae).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed A Hannan
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, PO Box 2460, KSA
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Alqarni AS, Hannan MA, Owayss AA, Engel MS. The indigenous honey bees of Saudi Arabia (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner): Their natural history and role in beekeeping. Zookeys 2011:83-98. [PMID: 22140343 PMCID: PMC3229212 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.134.1677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 08/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner (= yemenitica auctorum: videEngel 1999) has been used in apiculture throughout the Arabian Peninsula since at least 2000 BC. Existing literature demonstrates that these populations are well adapted for the harsh extremes of the region. Populations of Apis mellifera jemenitica native to Saudi Arabia are far more heat tolerant than the standard races often imported from Europe. Central Saudi Arabia has the highest summer temperatures for the Arabian Peninsula, and it is in this region where only Apis mellifera jemenitica survives, while other subspecies fail to persist. The indigenous race of Saudi Arabia differs from other subspecies in the region in some morphological, biological, and behavioral characteristics. Further taxonomic investigation, as well as molecular studies, is needed in order to confirm whether the Saudi indigenous bee populations represent a race distinct from Apis mellifera jemenitica, or merely an ecotype of this subspecies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulaziz S Alqarni
- Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, PO Box 2460, KSA
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