Apis cerana japonica

Japanese honeybee
A hive with workers of A. c. japonica being scouted by a yellow hornet (Vespa simillima).
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Apidae
Genus: Apis
Species:
A. cerana
Subspecies:
A. c. japonica
Trinomial name
Apis cerana japonica
(Radoszkowski, 1877)

Apis cerana japonica is a subspecies of the eastern honeybee native to Japan. It is commonly known as the Japanese honeybee (Japanese: ニホンミツバチ, Hepburn: Nihon mitsubachi). Analysis of mitochondrial DNA suggests that the ancestors of this subspecies came to Japan from the Korean Peninsula via Tsushima Island. Genetic differentiation between Japanese honeybees and Korean honeybees occurred about 20,000 years ago, which coincides with the separation of Japan's Tsushima Island from the Korean Peninsula due to sea level rise.[1] They have been observed moving into urban areas in the absence of natural predators.[2]

A. c. japonica is very resistant to the mite Varroa jacobsoni, which is commonly found among A. cerana.[3] It is also able to adapt to weather extremes, has a long flight duration and is less likely to sting than the western counterpart.[4]

3-Hydroxyoctanoic acid is a signalling chemical emitted by the orchid Cymbidium floribundum and is recognized by Japanese honeybees.[5]

  1. ^ Takahashi, Jun'ichi; Yoshida, Tadaharu (2003). "The origin of Japanese honey bee Apis cerana japonica inferred from mitochondrial DNA". Honeybee Science (in Japanese). 24 (#2). Japan: 71–76. ISSN 0388-2217. Archived from the original on 3 November 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  2. ^ Sugawara, Michio (2000). "Feral colonies of Japanese honey bees, Apis cerana japonica and their life history. 2. Natural nests and swarming". Honeybee Science (in Japanese). 21 (#1). Japan: 35–39. ISSN 0388-2217. Archived from the original on 19 May 2009. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
  3. ^ Takenaka, Tetsuo; Takenaka, Yoko (1995-08-21). "Royal Jelly from Apis cerana japonica and Apis mellifera". Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry. 60 (#3). Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry: 518–520. doi:10.1271/bbb.60.518. PMID 27299558.Open access icon
  4. ^ Park, Doori; Jung, Je Won; Choi, Beom-Soon; Jayakodi, Murukarthick; Lee, Jeongsoo; Lim, Jongsung; Yu, Yeisoo; Choi, Yong-Soo; Lee, Myeong-Lyeol (2015-01-02). "Uncovering the novel characteristics of Asian honey bee, Apis cerana, by whole genome sequencing". BMC Genomics. 16 (1): 1. doi:10.1186/1471-2164-16-1. ISSN 1471-2164. PMC 4326529. PMID 25553907.
  5. ^ Sugahara, M; Izutsu, K; Nishimura, Y; Sakamoto, F (2013). "Oriental orchid (Cymbidium floribundum) attracts the Japanese honey bee (Apis cerana japonica) with a mixture of 3-hydroxyoctanoic acid and 10-hydroxy- (E)-2-decenoic acid". Zoological Science. 30 (#2): 99–104. doi:10.2108/zsj.30.99. PMID 23387843. S2CID 45520680.