Abstract
This study aims to increase the survival rate of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in winter season to maintain their optimum strength in early spring. Various packaging materials viz., thermocoal, paddy straw, foam, gunny bags and saw dust in combination with four artificial diets were evaluated for their effectiveness in maintaining the optimum temperature and population buildup of colonies during peak winter. The artificial diets evaluated were made in a fixed proportion to meet the colony needs during dearth period. Results reveal that proper artificial feeding and maintenance of hive temperature has a significant effect on population and their survival rates. Diet consumption rate and colony performance indicators, sealed brood, colony strength and egg laying area were observed/measured periodically. These revealed that the treatment P1D1 comprising of thermocoal + chick pea flour + jaggery + sugar + water resulted in maximum survival rate and gave increased life expectancy of A. mellifera during the winter.
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