INTRODUCTION: Beekeeping around the world, in Italy and in Sardinia; ecological and economic importance of bees.
THE HONEY BEES: Systematics and races of greater economic interest; morphological and biological aspects.
HIVE PEST MANAGEMENT: natural defense mechanisms of the honey bees; CCD and mortality factors related to environmental pollution, main pathogens, parasites and predators; health management of hives and implications on the quality of the hive products.
HONEY BEE FLORA AND MAIN HONEYS: Honey bee flora and melliferous potential; elaboration and harvest of honey; composition and characteristics of the honey (melissopalynological, organoleptic and chemical - physical); main unifloral and multifloral honeys.
OTHER PRODUCTS OF THE HIVE: royal jelly, pollen, propolis, beeswax and venom.