Log Hives Research Articles

Včelařství v Čechách a na Moravě v 16.–18. století ve světle tištěných příruček

The article deals with beekeeping in Bohemia, and marginally also in Moravia, in the period between the16th and18th century, more precisely until 1789, when the first purely Czech beekeeping manual entitled Aučinlivé spravování včel pro obecného krajana v Království českém by Josef Antonín Janiš was published. Until now, we have believed that Janiš was the first to introduce extension beekeeping in Bohemia, in log hives. The author shows, however, that in the period preceding his writings, far from being a primitive method of keeping beehives in log hives, the industry had many forms and local differences depending on various subjective and objective conditions, among which the knowledge, experience and capabilities of the beekeeper, the types of hives used, the conditions of theirs habitat can be counted. The aim of the work is to introduce the sources to a hitherto unprocessed period of the beekeeping industry with practices often bizarre, reflecting the extinct zootechnics.

Mesilased eesti usundilises folklooris

The article traces changes in human cognitive and social development using the example of the only domesticated insect, the bee. From the 13th to the 20th century, forest bee-keeping spread, using live trees as beehives, and later also log hives on the ground. The ways of keeping bees changed fundamentally in the 19th century with the introduction of new types of hives, and they also consolidated beliefs in relation to bees. Bees had numerous special names, euphemisms were used when talking about them and in incantations, in which bees were called men/workers or other kinship terms were used, and they were also called domestic animals of the guardian fairies. The article presents beliefs about bees as soul animals and various mythical stories that were associated with the journey of the soul, as well as the popular belief about the connection between the death of the owner and the bees. While earlier on honey denoted an abundant and ideal life in the minds of people, the bee represented a hardworking, loyal person, and bees were the epitome of the motherland in texts expressing national identity. In the foreground is the search for balance between human and other beings, human and the environment, which is expressed, e.g., by the declaration of the rights of bees and the development trends of urban representation.

Bees in folk belief and practices before and now

The article traces changes in human cognitive and social development using the example of the domesticated insect, the bee. From the 13th to the 20th century, forest bee-keeping spread, using live trees as beehives, and later also log hives on the ground. The ways of keeping bees changed fundamentally in the 19th century with the introduction of new types of hives, and they also consolidated beliefs in relation to bees. Bees had numerous special names, euphemisms were used when talking about them and in incantations, in which bees were called men/workers or other kinship terms were used, and they were also called domestic animals of the guardian fairies. The article presents beliefs about bees as soul animals and various legends that were associated with the journey of the soul, as well as the popular belief about the connection between the death of the owner and the bees. While earlier on honey denoted an abundant and ideal life in the minds of people, the bee represented a hardworking, loyal person, and bees were the epitome of the motherland in texts expressing national identity.

Current status of meliponiculture and its cultural importance in the Western Ghats, India

Literature records indicate that ethnic people from different areas of the Western Ghats practice meliponiculture. However, ethnobiological knowledge and beekeeping practices remain poorly documented. We conducted ethnographic surveys in 6 districts of Karnataka and recorded traditional uses and current practices of meliponiculture from the region. We also offer a quantitative analysis to explore the relative cultural importance of stingless bees among these ethnic groups. Bees and bee products are primarily used for food, medicines, crafts, and cultural beliefs. Bamboo poles, clay pots, and traditional log hives are used to keep stingless bees in the front and backyards. Among the five ethnic communities, the Brahmins are practicing the most sustainable meliponiculture using some innovative hives built from locally available materials. Moreover, they explore safe honey extraction techniques for minimal damage to the colonies. The Kunbis tribe, who lives primarily inside the Kali Tiger Forest Reserve, utilizes the bees and bee products maximally compared to the other four ethnic communities. However, the Kunbis people largely exploit bees through destructive extractive practices and pose threats to the colony’s survival. Herein, we report traditional knowledge and current status of meliponiculture practices among five ethnic communities (the Brahmins, the Gowdas, the Naiks, the Marathas and the Kunbis) of the Western Ghats region in the state of Karnataka. We also gather biological information such as nesting substrates, nesting characteristics, and behavior of bees from the area, which will be crucial for the local conservation and sustainable meliponiculture in the Western Ghats region of India.

Beekeeping with Apis cerana: An indigenous tradition of tribal areas of Chamba district (Himachal Pradesh)

Traditional beekeeping in Chamba is very primitive. The present study aims to recognize and document the traditional knowledge and methods of beekeeping with Apis Cerana in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. The cluster data of 250 traditional beekeepers was collected from 25 villages of five development blocks of Chamba district during 2018-2019.The suitable agro-climatic conditions, plenty of wild as well as cultivated bee flora and their traditional knowledge offers vast potential for development and success of apiculture in the district. The indigenous hives are known as Ganar in Chamba district. The wall hives are made by leaving cavity while constructing house and thus they vary in their size. Size of log hives depends upon the tree truck collected from the forest. Honey harvesting is done in rational way by squeezing the combs, hence total destructions of bee hives. Cleaning of hives is done with raw comb mixed with flower extracts or juniper/ pine needles, which in turn helps them to attract swarms. Unfortunately, traditional beekeeping A. cerana is under threat due to construction of pukka houses and lack of scientific knowledge of beekeeping to the traditional bee keepers.

Assessment of Value Chain for Honey and Beeswax Initiatives in Zanzibar

Honey and beeswax production in Zanzibar become important activities in raising livelihood income for rural communities. However, it is still difficult for the production yielded from these to contribute to fighting rural poverty. This research study is geared towards analyzing the performance and efficiency of the honey and beeswax value chain and its challenges in order to disclose opportunities and synergy for reducing income poverty to beekeepers in Zanzibar. The study conducted in Zanzibar focusing both Unguja and Pemba Island, covering two districts from each Island. Descriptive research using both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from primary and secondary sources. Questionnaire was administered to 120 respondents randomly and proportionally selected from beekeepers in four districts. Focus Group Discussions, Key Informant Interviews and Field visits were also conducted. Data were analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) versions 2016 with Excel Spread Sheet in Office 2016. The result revealed that, the major value chain activities involved were input supply, production, processing, marketing to final consumers. The actors identified were input supplier, producers, processors, traders, and consumers. The study also revealed that, majority 80.4% of beekeepers use traditional/ log hives which proved to give low yield in this study. The result also portrayed that, about 2.8% of respondents that use Langstroth hives whereas 16.0% use top bar hive It was also found that annual average yield of honey per hive types was 9.09litres from traditional/log hive, 10 liters from Top bar hives and 16.85 litres from Langstroth hives. The price of unprocessed honey ranges from TZS 20,000 to 30,000 (9 to 14 US $) per liter while processed honey is T.SH 35,000 to 40,000 (15 to 17 US$) per litre. Various challenges were identified including inadequate supply of modern hive and equipment, climate change and variability, inadequate training and extension services, deforestation and forest fire, inversion of diseases pests and predator, lack of honey processing and marketing centre as well as capital. The profitability analysis indicates that, the annual net revenue per hive is TZS 203,347(US$ 93) for traditional /log hive, TZS 227,166 (US$ 103) for Top bar hive and TZS 342,536 (US$ 156) for Langstroth hive.

Beekeeping as an element of the intangible cultural heritage of Ukraine: custom «wathching the bees»

The formation of the National List of Elements of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Ukraine requires a detailed study and popularization of ethnocultural features of the objects included in it, in particular Polissia beekeeping, the traditions of which date back to the times of Kyiv Rus. Beekeeping has accumulated a rich production experience, worldview, folk knowledge, specific tools and devices that play an important role in the system of monuments of Ukraine, in the construction of museum exhibitions. The purpose of the article is to highlight the production experience of beekeepers based on field expedition materials collected in different areas of the Right Bank of Ukrainian Polissia, in particular to clarify the calendar markers of «watching the bees», which is the result of annual work of beekeepers. The realization of the formulated goal involves solving the following tasks: highlighting the essence of the concept of «watching the bees»; disclosure of terms of selection of honey from boards and log beehives and their change in modern conditions; identification of the main markers of bee sighting, related to the holiday-ritual and agricultural calendar, the development of honeybees and the stages of life of bees. The object of research is beekeeping – as a form of forest and domestic beekeeping. The subject of the research is the calendar regulation and methods of selecting honey from the sides and log hives. The methodological basis of the study were the principles of historicity, objectivity, system, complexity; monument, museum and historical research methods (analysis and synthesis, typological, comparative-historical). The ethnological method of research is used – collection of field materials according to the author's program-questionnaire; information was collected using the cluster method of research. Field materials are given, which illustrate the main provisions of the article. The scientific novelty of the article is that for the first time in the Ukrainian monumental, museum and ethnological literature the ethnocultural features of the beekeeping custom of «watching the bees» and its calendar regulation are covered. Used field materials collected by the author in different villages of the Right Bank Ukrainian Polissia are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The scientific novelty of the article is that for the first time in the Ukrainian monumental, museum and ethnological literature the ethnocultural features of the beekeeping custom of «watching the bees» and its calendar regulation are covered. Used field materials collected by the author in different villages of the Right Bank Ukrainian Polissia are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. In conclusion, the article notes that the «watching the bees» is based on customary ritual norms, folk knowledge and worldviews associated with the final stage of the annual work of the beekeeper – collecting honey. It is noted that the calendar terms of this production process determined the following markers: calendar holidays (Savior, Assumption, Immaculate Conception, and Intercession), agricultural calendar (harvest, digging potatoes), honeydew development (heather flowering) and stages of biological development of bees (completion of redness), preparation for winter). It is noted that the spread of domestic beekeeping and socio-economic processes of recent decades, which have led to a decrease in honeybees, external influences on bees (poisoning), the spread of diseases and as a result of a significant reduction in honey yields, have a significant impact on terms of «watching the bees».

Beekeeping practices and challenges at Lemo District, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Beekeeping has been an integral part of the Ethiopian agriculture and yielding 1.3% of agricultural GDP. Hence, the study was aimed to evaluate the purpose of beekeeping and major constraints impeding beekeeping practices at Lemo District, Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Questionnaires were organized to collect survey data. A multi-stage purposive sampling technique was used and one hundred forty respondents (140 beekeepers) were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Key informant interviews and Focus group discussion to support the interpretation of the interview data. The data were organized and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance via Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Accordingly, beekeeping was mostly carried out using traditional hives. From beekeeper’s respondents 80%, are involved in beekeeping mainly for both income and household consumption. Beekeepers use income obtained from beekeeping for buying crop inputs, payment for annual land taxation, and purchase food grain. The mean honey yield of traditional log hives, transitional top-bar hives, and modern hives with frames were 5.25 ± 0.38, 7.52 ± 0.54, and 12.78 ± 0.56 kg per hive per year, respectively. The most hampering factors for honey bee production were honey bee diseases, improper pesticide application, and shortage of bee forage. The finding of this study concluded that beekeeping was mostly carried out using traditional hives. Hence, well-organized training should be given for the beekeepers to practice internal colony inspection and improved beekeeping technologies via a full package program. Efforts should be geared to alleviate constraints like honey bee diseases, improper application of pesticides, and bee forage shortage hampering beekeeping in the district.

Expanding the reach: ethnobotanical knowledge and technological intensification in beekeeping among the Ogiek of the Mau Forest, Kenya

BackgroundInitiatives for beekeeping intensification across the tropics can foster production and income, but the changes triggered by the introduction of modern beehives might permeate traditional knowledge and practices in multiple ways, and as such should be investigated and understood. We conducted an ethnobotanical study in the Eastern part of the Mau Forest among Ogiek beekeepers who customarily practice forest beekeeping and who are involved in a project aimed at the modernization of their beekeeping activities. We aimed to document the beekeeping-associated ethnobotanical knowledge, exploring the relationships and complementarity between modern and traditional knowledge and practices.MethodsField research was carried out through semi-structured interviews with 30 Ogiek beekeepers and 10 additional stakeholders. We collected ethnobotanical data about plants used for beekeeping purposes, and ethnographic information on traditional and modern beekeeping systems.ResultsWe report 66 plant species, distributed across 36 botanical families representing 58 genera, important as melliferous, for the construction and placing of hives, attracting bees, and harvesting and storing honey. Dombeya torrida (J.F.Gmel.) Bamps, Juniperus procera Hochst. ex Endl., and Podocarpus latifolius (Thunb.) R.Br. ex Mirb. are the species with the most mentions and the highest number of uses. Our study reveals that the Ogiek possess a detailed knowledge of the forest’s flora, its importance and uses and that this knowledge underpins beekeeping practices. Under the influence of external actors, the Ogiek have progressively adopted modern versus traditional log hives and moved beekeeping out of the forest into open areas of pastures and crop fields. Beekeepers are also experimenting with combinations of practices borrowed from modern and traditional beekeeping systems, particularly in the field of hive construction and in the criteria to set up apiaries.ConclusionsThe study indicates a complementarity and an incipient hybridization of traditional and modern beekeeping, in a way that suggests that modern beehives are instrumental in expanding the reach of beekeeping into deforested and cultivated areas. The study also points to the existence of a rift in the effects of beekeeping intensification on the livelihoods of the Ogiek and on their relationship with the forest. We argue that this intensification might be improving the former but weakening the latter, carrying the associated risk of erosion of traditional forest-based ethnobotanical knowledge.

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

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.

FROM MANAGING BEES TO SCHEDULING LIFE VIA DAY SIGNS: THE LOG HIVE AS A WINDOW FOR COMMUNICATION IN PRE-HISPANIC MAYA SOCIETY

Mayas from the pre-Hispanic period documented important facts and life experiences via a writing system consisting of hieroglyphs. To timetable these events, they used time units such as the so-called day signs, whose origins are largely unknown. Classic Maya civilization included a tradition of keeping native stingless bees in horizontally oriented, hollowed-out logs for the production of honey and wax. The legacy and value of this stingless-bee keeping, also called meliponiculture, can be found in their culture and religion. The most commonly kept species was Melipona beecheii , which the Mayas knew by the name of Xunan-kab . The principal way for Mayan beekeepers to access nest interiors and extract honey and wax was via the ends of the rustic log hives. Here I argue that the day signs Imix , Kib’ , Kab’an , Kawak and Ajaw represent cross sections of log hives that are visible when opened at their sides. The signs' interiors reflect extant but stylized bee nest elements that are important to beekeeping, such as food stocks, brood content, adult bees, and nest entrances. Similar to all other day signs and nearly all variants, their roundish, outer frames imitate a hollow log’s solid wall. In those cases where numerous hives were densely stacked together in bee sheds, Maya beekeeping must have become more complex in its organization. To tackle increasing complexity in bee management and sustain colony growth and optimize honey and wax production, Mayan beekeepers likely administered their work based on written figures related to beekeeping details. The five day signs were probably derived from a mnemonic system that originally was intended to identify individual log hives, to keep records of colonies and to share information with others involved in this activity.

Estimating the potential of beekeeping to alleviate household poverty in rural Uganda.

Robust evidence underpinning the role of beekeeping in poverty alleviation is currently lacking. This study estimated the production potential for beekeepers in Northern Uganda by quantifying current production assets (equipment and knowledge) and impact on rural income streams range of proposed interventions. Intervention scenarios evaluated the economic benefits to be derived from different hive types combined with year-round provision of a nectar source (Calliandra calothyrsus) planted at varying density. Findings show that the type and number of beehive combinations used influenced the amount of revenue streams generated by the beekeepers. Addition of 20 log hives increased incomes 10 times, 20 KTBs increased revenues 16 times and Langstroth 18 times. Adding Calliandra trees as a forage source to the baseline scenario yielded revenues up to 17.6 times higher than the baseline. Implying that good management plus the introduction of a reliable nectar source, to off-set dry season challenges (absconding), could improve beekeeping productivity in Northern Uganda. Further research is required to validate in situ the impact of modelled scenarios on both honey yield and other ecosystem service benefits.

The organization of stingless beekeeping (Meliponiculture) at Mayapán, Yucatan, Mexico

This article presents evidence for the importance of traditional stingless beekeeping (meliponiculture) at the Postclassic period (CE 1150–1450) Maya political capital of Mayapán, Yucatan, Mexico, with a particular focus on the domestic and public contexts of this practice and its association with metallurgy and balché production. The spatial and social distribution of beekeeping activities throughout the city refines scholarly understanding of an integrated and functionally complex Maya agro-urban cityscape. Beekeeping activities are identified through the distribution of small limestone disks, interpreted as the covers for traditional hollow log hives, which were widely distributed throughout the Mayapán’s urban landscape. High concentrations of limestone disks at the outlying ceremonial/administrative center of Itzmal Ch’en and also at an elite palace group, may indicate concentrated honey production for crafting fermented honey wine, balché. Limestone disks are also widely distributed at other contexts such as temples and halls of the site’s monumental center as well as secondary elite and commoner house groups. Limestone disks are regularly recovered (although not exclusively) in association with metallurgical ceramics, suggesting that meliponiculture and lost-wax metallurgy were often practiced by the same households. Honey and wax production was a complex undertaking, involving by-products essential for other industries that were not solely produced for commercial exchange. Instead, these activities were frequently embedded into symbolically charged consumption spheres and specialized artisanal practices.

The impact of hive type on the behavior and health of honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera) in Kenya

There has been a long-standing interest in developing approaches to maximize honey production by Kenyan beekeepers. Since honey bees in Kenya are passively managed, the main decision beekeepers make is which hive type to use: traditional Log hives, Langstroth hives, and Kenyan top-bar hives. We found Langstroth hives to be the most attractive to migrating swarms, followed by Log hives, while Kenyan top-bar hives were the least preferred. Pathogen and parasite loads correlated only with colony age and absconding rates were associated only with colony size and weight. We recommend additional studies to understand the factors that drive swarm attraction to hive bodies and highlight practical concerns about Kenyan top-bar hives that need to be addressed to improve their utility to beekeepers. Also, placing apiaries in areas with floral resources may reduce absconding rates; however, periodic breaks in brood production may serve as a mechanism to reduce parasite and pathogen loads.

Impact of traditional beekeeping on Mgori Village Land Forest Reserve in Singida District, Tanzania

A study was conducted in villages around Mgori Village Land Forest Reserve (VLFR), Singida District in Tanzania to assess the impact of traditional beekeeping on the condition of forest resources. Data collection involved participatory rural appraisal, questionnaire survey and forest inventory. Data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences and Ms Excel. The Shannon-Wiener index was used to analyse evenness in species diversity. Results indicated that the majority of households practice traditional beekeeping using log hives. There is no proper management system of traditional beekeeping apart from regular forest patrols. The majority (82%) of respondents viewed traditional beekeeping as an effective way of managing forest resources as it helps to protect the forest against destruction and results in increased plant productivity through pollination. Results further showed that although not statistically significant (p>0.05), sites where beekeeping was practiced had more stems per hectare (ha) for dbh ≤10 cm compared to sites where there was no beekeeping implying high regeneration of species due to minimal disturbances in beekeeping sites. Forest destruction, decreasing bee forages and drought were identified to be the main threats to traditional beekeeping. If well implemented, traditional beekeeping can be a tool for sustainable forest management. The need to promote best beekeeping practices which contribute to sustainable forest management in the area and beyond is recommended.

The Log Hives of Yucatan

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsBriana BiancoBriana Bianco is a master’s student in anthropology with a focus in Mesoamerican archaeology at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces. Her thesis research explores the continuity of stingless beekeeping practices from pre Columbian to modern times in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. With the help of a Sigma Xi grant, her research has used soil chemistry analysis to determine how to identify beekeeping archaeologically. She has presented her research at the Society for American Archaeology conferences, served as treasurer and president of the Anthropology Graduate Student Organization at NMSU and won an Outstanding Graduate Assistant award.

Variations in races of the honeybee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Kenya

The three races of the honeybee Apis mellifera Linnaeus in Kenya (A. m. scutellata, A. m. monticola and A. m. litorea) differ from each other with respect to size, cubital index and abdominal colour banding pattern. These differences were used to assess the extent of interbreeding and hybridization between the races. This was verified on the basis of selected morphometric traits. Bee samples were collected from traditional log hives in seven geographical locations throughout Kenya ranging from lowland Mombasa in the coastal region to the highland Kinangop ranges. The length and width of the right forewing, length of proboscis, right antenna and right hindleg were measured, and the cubital index was computed for each specimen. The bees were classified according to size and colour banding pattern. Data analysis indicated there was hybridization among the three races of A. mellifera in Kenya due to swarming and migration under seasonal pressure.

Extinction of Melipona beecheii and traditional beekeeping in the Yucatán peninsula

Rearing of the ‘xunan-kab’ bee (Melipona beecheii) had been practised widely by the Mayans of the Yucatán peninsula long before arrival of the Spanish in the New World, and had been a culturally and economically important activity in that region. Melipona beecheii is kept almost exclusively in traditional log hives. Beekeepers using this bee, from the Mayan zone in Quintana Roo state, Mexico, testify to a 93% decrease in hives during the past one-quarter century. Despite concern that stingless bee keeping is going extinct, there were scant data to examine direct impact of competition from feral African Apis mellifera, deforestation, hurricane damage and lack of instruction and incentive for new stingless bee keepers. We therefore made a survey of beekeepers constituting 20% of the largest traditional beekeeping group in the Americas. These data combined with our field studies, taken over 24 years, suggest that bees are threatened both by environmental changes and by inappropriate management and conservation efforts. Overharvest and failure to transfer colonies to hives or divide them are serious impediments. The major tactics to confront these problems are presented.

Nest and colony characteristics of log-hived Melipona beecheii (Apidae: Meliponinae)

SUMMARYThe log hives of 19 colonies of the stingless bee Melipona beecheii were opened and adult and brood populations, stored nectar and pollen, and other nest characteristics were recorded. Adult populations were found to be between 500 and 2500. The presence of queen pupae in the brood and the size of the brood nest were found to be positively correlated. Adult gynes and males were seldom observed. Brood populations were generally found to be two to four times the number of adult bees. Honey stores were often smaller than pollen stores, and only few colonies contained more than 1litre. The volume of the cavity of the hives was between 5 litres and 16 litres. Blackened and useless pollen was found in several nests, usually in the bigger ones. New for Central American species of Melipona is the description of radiating entrance structures. The ultimate function of several nest structures is discussed in relation to the typical stingless bee biology and ecology. Recommendations for hive design are made.

A preliminary study on the development of colonies ofMelipona beecheiiin traditional and rational hives

SUMMARYSeventeen colonies of Melipona beecheii were collected from different parts of Yucatán, Mexico, and housed in rational (box) hives or in traditional log hives. Two designs of rational hive were used: the Nogueira-Neto hive (P) and the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas de Amazonia hive (I). The internal volumes of the P, I and log hives were 14.30, 14.52 and 10.06 litres, respectively. Food stores in the original nests were not transferred to the hives and the colonies were fed on sugar syrup and supplied with cerumen. Brood volumes and numbers of food pots were determined every 15 days for 3 months following the colony transfers. The amount of brood which developed in the log hives (mean 848.21 cm3) was significantly greater than in P (mean 543.64 cm3) and I (mean 413.84 cm3) hives, but there were no significant differences between domiciles in the number of food pots built, indicating that colonies need to build up food stores before producing brood. It is suggested that the volumes of the P and I hives should be reduced by at least one-third, to allow better control of temperature and environment by the bees.