Honey bee colony population in relation to brood rearing and stored pollen

Abstract

The present work was carried out to study the relationship between brood rearing activity, bee density and stored pollen grains. Fifteen colonies, 1st. Carniolan hybrid nearly in equal strength were put under investigation from June 1994 to May 1995. The results revealed that the major peak of brood activity and higher rate of stored pollen were in May, consequently the maximum number of house bees was recorded during June and July. However no correlation existed, the lowest production of brood, bees and gathered pollen occurred during February. It was found that high significant differences were in quantity of brood and house bees, while low significant differences were in quantity of stored pollen. Correlations between brood activity, house bees density and stored pollen were observed in winter.