The proposed project will investigate the factors regulating the absconding (migration) behavior of the African honeybee in Botswana, Africa. Absconding can result in an enormous loss of colonies, which (1) may negatively impact on U.S. beekeeping with the arrival of the African honeybee from South America, and (2) continues to impede the development of commercial beekeeping in many regions of Africa. Honeybee migration often appears to occur in response to changing foraging conditions. However, it is unclear exactly how food availability and colony food needs interact to determine a colony's decision to abandon an area. This study proposes to use field studies and experimental manipulations to explore if colonies abscond in response to (1) fluctuations in the average rate of food intake, (2) changes in the day-to-day variability in foraging success, or (3) some weather cue. The proposed research has both scientific and economic merits. Since absconding is an all-or-none response in which all members of a colony depart simultaneously, it represents a group- level decision to switch foraging patches. Absconding therefore provides a unique opportunity to explore the mechanisms underlying group decision-making processes, which remain some of the least understood aspects of animal social behavior. Economically, the study will benefit beekeeping in both the U.S. and Africa. A better understanding of the factors regulating absconding may facilitate the incorporation of the African bee into U.S. beekeeping and agricultural practices. In Botswana bees are abundant and honey brings a high price. Yet, beekeeping is undeveloped in much of the country, due in part to absconding, which makes it difficult to maintain colonies for extended periods. A greater knowledge of absconding may therefore help lay the groundwork for improving commercial beekeeping in Botswana.
