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Apoptosis-inducing factors (AIFs) play vital roles in bioenergetic and redox metabolism. Compared with studies focused on the apoptogenic function of AIF, few studies have reported on its oxidoreductase function, especially in insects. In this study, we identified a novel AIF gene AccAIF3 that was isolated from Apis cerana cerana, and investigated its expression and structural features. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed the highest mRNA level of AccAIF3 in adult bees at 15 days. qRT-PCR results revealed that AccAIF3 transcripts were induced by cold, CdCl, HgCl, UV, pyriproxyfen and cyhalothrin, but were downregulated by ecdysone. We also compared the expression of AIF3 from Apis cerana cerana and Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola to Ascosphaera apis, and found that AIF3s may respond to Ascosphaera apis in a species-specific manner. These data suggested that AccAIF3 may play vital roles in the response to abiotic and biotic stresses and contribute to the adaptability of honeybees to adversities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]