Abstract
Abstract Honey bees have good thermoregulation and rapidly respond to any changes in the microclimatic conditions of their colonies. However, colony losses can occur during very cold or hot months. Honey bee colonies are often kept in modified beehives during such times to save the honey bees lives. In the present study, the abilities of four beehive types to enhance the performance of two honey bee races (Carniolan and Yemeni honey bees) were compared under hot and arid environmental conditions. The results indicated performance differences between the two races and between the selected beehive types. For the Carniolan honey bees, better results were obtained in colonies provided with insulated cover boxes (ICB) than in thermoregulatory beehives (TBH), insulated beehives with a back drawer (IBD), and normal beehives (NB) in that order. In contrast, better Yemeni honey bee results were obtained in the TBH, followed by ICB, NB, and finally IBD. Maintaining honey bees in a suitable beehive type is a promising method for saving honey bees lives and enhancing their performance under harsh environmental conditions.
Highlights
The standard Langstroth beehive is commonly used in beekeeping around the world
Internal activities of honey bee colonies Internal activities of Carniolan honey bee colonies The Carniolan honey bee colonies were housed in different types of beehives
The colonies with insulated cover boxes recorded the highest means for all other parameters including the stored honey and bee numbers with means of 18.58 dm2 and 7414.00 bees, respectively
Summary
The standard Langstroth beehive is commonly used in beekeeping around the world. the challenges of environmental conditions, especially extremely hot or cold weather, have caused many researchers to suggest modifications to the standard beehive. Some standard beehive modifications have enhanced the performance of honey bees under cold conditions. Some examples of these cold-based modifications are heated and heated-fan beehives (Erdogan et al, 2009), beehives containing a device to control the temperature during the winter season (Omran, 2011), and beehives with an automatic system and complex control architecture to improve the wintering process of the honey bees (Zacepins and Stalidzans, 2012). Other changes have been made to standard beehives for other purposes, such as changes to facilitate honey bee feeding (AbouShaara, 2011), for controlling small hive beetles (Ellis et al, 2003), to facilitate the collection of honey bee eggs (Omholt et al, 1995), for monitoring colony environments via large controlled containers (Ohashi et al, 2008), or the use of two-frame observation hives. A glass box and wooden frame (Ohashi et al, 2009) enable the monitoring of honey bee activities in such hives (Meitalovs et al, 2009)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
