From the perspective of local scientists this book provides insight into bees and bee
management of Asia with a special focus on honey bees. Asia is home to at least nine honey bee
species including the introduced European honey bee Apis mellifera. Although A. mellifera and
the native Asian honey bee Apis cerana are the most commonly employed species for commercial
beekeeping the remaining non-managed native honey bee species have important ecological and
economic roles on the continent. Species distributions of most honey bee species overlap in
Southeast Asia thus promoting the potential for interspecies transmission of pests and
parasites as well as their spread to other parts of the world by human translocation. Losses
of managed A. mellifera colonies is of great concern around the world including in Asia. Such
global colony losses are believed to be caused in part by pests and parasites originating
from Asia such as the mite Varroa destructor the microsporidian Nosema ceranae and several
bee viruses. Taking advantage of the experience of leading regional bee researchers this book
provides insight into the current situation of bees and bee management in Asia. Recent
introductions of honey bee parasites of Asian origin to other parts of the world ensuresthat
the contents of this book are broadly relevant to bee scientists researchers government offi
cials and the general public around the world.
