The honeybees (fam. apidae) and the beekeeping potential in the Udzungwa area Tanzania

The honeybees Apis, Meliponine and Trigonini are of great potential for beekeeping development in Tanzania. This study investigated both stinging and stingless honeybee species and their beekeeping potentials in the Udzungwa area. The study established the nest choices of these honeybees. In addition the plant species used by the honeybees to produce honey “melliferous plants”were investigated. The abundance and density of honeybees at different zones of the Udzungwa area were also studied. The income generation of keeping honeybees was assessed. Studies on the honeybee species occurring in the Udzungwa area revealed six species of stingless and three subspecies of stinging honeybees. These were Apis mellifera scutellata, Apis mellifera litorea as well as Apis mellifera monticola and Meliponula bocandei, Meliponula junodi, Melipona species, Axestotrigona erythra, Trigona spinipes and Trigona denoiti respectively. The results also revealed that suitable nest site availability limits colony density. Moreover, the diameter at breast height was an important factor considered by honeybees in tree choice for nesting. The density of honeybees also varies with season, in both highlands and lowlands no matter whether the area is protected or not. Investigation on melliferous plants showed that, although the core zones have high diversity, buffer and transition zones are adversely affected by agricultural activities. However, buffer and transition zones showed capacity to support beekeeping in terms of occupancy, density, melliferpous plant species and honey production. Data on honey production showed that Udzungwa is a sleeping giant. On income generation, beekeeping has proved its worth provided the hives are occupied and managed properly. Beekeeping in the Udzungwa area is hampered by nest sizes. The study concludes with recommendations for further investigation related to the ecology of both stinging and stingless honeybees in the context of the overall management of the UMNP.