Semiconductor gas sensor as a detector of Varroa destructor infestation of honey bee colonies – Statistical evaluation

Abstract

The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) plays a role in a range of human activities, especially in agriculture. Bee populations need to be maintained in an optimal state. For this reason, early diagnostics of diseases are needed. There are reasons to believe that monitoring of parameters characterizing physical and chemical conditions inside hives may be used for determining honey bee colony health. In the last case, chemical sensors could be applied. The aim of this work is to show that: (1) the responses of semiconductor gas sensors to the atmospheres of various beehives may differ significantly and (2) the differences between gas sensors’ responses may be attributed to the Varroa destructor infestation rate of bee colonies. The study was based on twelve hours of continuous monitoring of six honey bee colonies with semiconductor gas sensors. As shown by the statistical analysis, gas sensors’ responses covaried with the V. destructor infestation level in a logical and consistent manner. Greater responses indicated a higher infestation rate. The differences between gas sensors’ responses to individual bee colonies were significant when the difference in V. destructor infestation rates was greater than 9.1%. Gas sensors’ responses were mostly insignificantly different when differences in V. destructor infestation rates were 4.2% or smaller. The results obtained indicate the potential of the measurement method based on gas sensors as a candidate solution for the detection of disease in honey bee colonies. The development of the method requires further studies.