Investigating the Natural Bee Space and Comb Cell Dimensions of an Ethiopian Honeybee Race (<i>Apis Mellifera Scutellata</i>) in Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

A study to determine bee space and comb cell dimensions for local honeybee race (Apis mellifera scutellata) was conducted in two districts of Borana zone, Oromia regional state, Southern part of Ethiopia during 2017. Data regarding bee space, worker bee comb cell dimensions, comb thickness and comb space were measured in traditional log hives using digital caliper. Comb length and comb width were measured and the number of worker bee cells per unit area were marked and counted from the combs. The collected data was fitted in GLM procedure of SAS version 9 to identify the effect of agro-ecology and comb type on the considered parameters. The race maintained an average 11.30±1.99mm bee space and 18.78±3.0mm comb thickness. The overall worker bee cell width and depth of the race were 4.65±0.30mm and 10.28±0.74mm respectively. It was observed that the race can construct a comb with an average of 44.80cm long and 20.51cm wide in their nest. The mean number of worker bee cells count per 100cm2 is 539.44 cells (ranging from 441-621). This finding shows variations in bee space (11.30mm), cell diameter (4.65mm) and cell depth measurements (10.28mm) from other similar studies in the other parts of the country. Based on the analyzed data, it is understood that ecological differences (climate, vegetation type, altitudes, etc.) between the midland and lowland has got significant variation in biological diversity of the honeybee races of the study area compared to the other zones of the region/ country. Thus, it is suggested that further study on these measurements is required as parameters for the honeybee geographical races of the zone and the surrounding areas to come to a reliable recommendation to use this specification in improved hive construction.