Honey Bees of Borneo

Prof. Nikolaus Koeniger, his wife Dr Gudrun Koeniger and Salim Tingek

Today was the ceremonial launching of the long awaited book on the Honey Bees of Borneo, describing the research work of Prof. Nikolaus Koeniger, his wife Dr Gudrun Koeniger and Salim Tingek. All five species of honey bee occurring in Borneo are featured and abundantly photographed. This is an accessible, popular text with a lot of meat in it. Research work by this team over 25 years has given new insights into bee biology, including behaviour, predators, honey hunting and production.

Borneo, with 5 of the 9 species of honey bee found world wide, is the biodiversity hotspot for this group. Honey production world wide is base on the European, Asian and African species Apis mellifera, the Western Honey Bee, but as this beast suffers continuing large scale ‘colony collapse disorder’ (partly through apiary bees being stressed and not sufficiently outbred, it is suspected), the indigenous honeys of Borneo could become increasingly important. They are natural, organic and tasty – an invitation to all interested in healthy eating.