Diversity of Species of Polliniferous Flora Used by Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in the Azores (Portugal)

Abstract

Introduction Beekeeping is an important agricultural activity that encompasses production and marketing of bee products, sanity and welfare of honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758), and the pollination favor and increase of various botanical species. Data indicate that 76% of food products produced in Europe depend on bees pollination, with an estimated economic value of 14.2 million Euros (Rossi, 2017). However, in recent years scientists and beekeepers have warned about the decline of bees, colony losses, and the decrease of pollinators in nature, especially in environmental agroecosystems. Possible causes for this decline could include intensive agriculture and monoculture, use of pesticides, climate changes, habitat losses, and diseases.