Abstract
The basis of effective beekeeping is the information about the state of the bee colony. A rich source of respective information is beehive air. This source may be explored by applying gas sensing. It allows for classifying bee colony states based on beehive air measurements. In this work, we discussed the essential aspects of beehive air sampling and sensing device operation in apicultural applications. They are the sampling method (diffusive vs. dynamic, temporal aspects), sampling system (sample probe, sampling point selection, sample conditioning unit and sample delivery system) and device operation mode (‘exposure-cleaning’ operation). It was demonstrated how factors associated with the beehive, bee colony and ambient environment define prerequisites for these elements of the measuring instrument. These requirements have to be respected in order to assure high accuracy of measurement and high-quality information. The presented results are primarily based on the field measurement study performed in summer 2020, in three apiaries, in various meteorological conditions. Two exemplars of a prototype gas sensing device were used. These sensor devices were constructed according to our original concept.
Highlights
Honey bees are critically important for the environment and to the economy [1]
The aim of this paper is to discuss the selected issues regarding the application of gas sensing devices in beekeeping
We shall focus on beehive air sampling and the operation of the measuring instrument, which is subordinate to the sampling method
Summary
Honey bees are critically important for the environment and to the economy [1]. Recently, the population of these insects has been disappearing at an alarming rate throughout the world. Good beekeeping practices need solid, comprehensive information about the state of honey bee colonies, the beehive environment as well as events that may require the beekeeper’s action [3]. It comes from observation of honeybee behavior as well as conditions associated with beehives and the environment. They are various aspects of: (1) the sampling method and sensing device operation (Section 4.1), and (2) the sampling system itself (Section 4.2) Both are examined in view of performing beehive air measurements in real conditions.
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