Search

Morphometry is a very widespread and effective discipline for the study of the western honeybee Apis mellifera. The aim of this investigation was the quantitative evaluation of morphological characters for Apis mellifera carnica in Tropoja district and their correlation with honey production, since the correlation between traits is of great importance for their improvement. In this study 14 morphological traits of bees sampled from 4 different location (Markaj, Vicidol, Qafe Morine, Luzhe) in Tropoja district were measured and their values were correlated with honey production. The morphometric measurement was carried out using a simple technique depends on the combination between Scanner and Photoshop program, Scan Photo Technique (Abo-Shara, 2012). According to this method the worker bees were dissected and the separated parts were scanned using a scanner, then the images of the morphological characters were measured with Photoshop program. Statistical analysis of data was performed with programs Statistics 7 and Excel. The average values of the measured parameters were: proboscis length (PL) (6.48 mm), forewing length (FWL) (9.32 mm), forewing width (FWW) (3.08 mm), cubital index (CI) (2.33), hind wing length (HWL) (6.397 mm), hind wing width (HWW) (1.8 mm), femur length (FL) (2.34 mm), tibia length (TL) (3.2 mm), basitarsus length (BL) (2.026 mm), basitarsus width (BW) (1.245 mm), sternite 3 longitudinal (S3) (2.756 mm), wax mirror of sternite 3 longitudinal (WL) (1.35 mm), wax mirror of sternite 3 transversal (WT) (2.338 mm), and distance between wax mirrors of sternite 3(WD) (0.3 mm). Referring to values of coefficient of variation, features can be classified into two groups: (i) PL, FWL, FWW, HWL, HWW, FL, TL, BL, BW, S3, WL, WT features with low level of variation (1.37 - 8.4%); (2) CI, and WD, and features with high level of variation (12.2% - 29.95%). Our result show that proboscis (PL) and forewing length (FWL) had the highest correlation with honey production (r = 0.4017, r = 0.407 P > 0.05). We suggest extending of the study in other districts as well, and also we suggest the study of correlation of other morphometric traits with honey production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From year to year, the global production of honey is continuously growing, but the honey producers and other stakeholders around the world and in Europe face similar processes and difficulties that are destroying the honey market. It would be necessary to reduce counterfeiting, improve the bee health situation, operate a comprehensive database and monitoring system, and provide extensive support to beekeepers. In order to ensure the sustainability of the beekeeping sector, it is necessary to develop and apply good agricultural practices, and in order to preserve biodiversity, related rural development programs and measures are needed. If the sector stabilizes (in Hungary, in EU-28 and worldwide), the long-term sustainability of beekeeping can be achieved; its ecological significance can be protected, and the rural retention role of the countryside may be strengthened in honey-producing countries. The aim of the study is to map the EU and Hungary honey production and trade with the help of relevant literature and statistics, and to present the current situation, difficulties and challenges of the honey market. After analyzing the market situation and sectoral processes, a SWOT matrix has been created including the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the beekeeping sector. Then we made recommendations to improve the current situation in the beekeeping sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternatives to the antibiotic fumagillin for the control of Nosema ceranae, a gut parasite of the honey bee, are needed. The prebiotics eugenol, chitosan, and naringenin and the probiotic Protexin® (Enterococcus faecium) provided in sugar syrup or protein patty either in spring or fall were evaluated for their effects on N. ceranae infection, colony population, honey yield and winter survivorship using field colonies. In the first year, spring treatments with eugenol, naringenin, and Protexin® significantly reduced N. ceranae infection and increased honey production, while Protexin® also increased adult bee populations and chitosan was ineffective. Fall treatments increased survivorship and decreased N. ceranae infection the following spring. In the second year, selected compounds were further tested with a larger number of colonies per treatment and only protein patty used in the spring and sugar syrup in the fall. Protexin® and naringenin significantly decreased N. ceranae infections and increased the population of adult bees after spring treatment, but did not affect honey yields. There were no differences between treatments for colony winter mortality, but surviving colonies that had been treated with Protexin® and naringenin were significantly more populated and had lower N. ceranae spore counts than control, non-treated colonies. Protexin® and naringenin were the most promising candidates for controlling N. ceranae and promoting honey bee populations, warranting further investigation. Future research should investigate the optimal colony dose and treatment frequency to maximize colony health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study was carried out to investigate the influence of differently aged wax combs (foundation as zero, 1, 2, 3 and 4 − 6 years old) on some biological aspects that affect the productivity of honey bee colonies. Twenty-five package colonies were equally divided and situated on each of the tested combs during the spring of two successive years (2018 and 2019). The obtained results revealed that worker brood areas, worker population, worker life span, weights of newly emerged workers and drones, and honey yield significantly increased with fresh combs. However, drone brood areas increased with old combs, and wax combs age had no effect on worker survivorship. It could be concluded that the wax combs aged from zero (foundation) to three years old (light color combs) are more preferable in the performance and productivity of honey bee colonies than the older (dark color combs) ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varroa destructor is a well-known ectoparasite of the honey bee Apis mellifera. Amitraz and fluvalinate are highly effective miticides used against V. destructor infestation in colonies of honey bee A. mellifera. Though honey bees more resistant to miticides, there are side effects of these chemicals on the reproduction, olfaction, and honey production of honey bees. We showed a negative impact of miticides amitraz and fluvalinate on honey production and reproduction of honey bee colonies. Also, we assumed the reduction of olfaction of honey bees by fluvalinate due to changes of expression of olfactory related neuropeptide genes short neuropeptide F sNPF, tachykinin TK, short neuropeptide F receptor sNPFR. The external treatment of honey bee colonies by miticides amitraz and fluvalinate along with a positive effect of pest control harms reproductivity, honey productivity, and, probably, can reduce learning and memory, gustation and olfaction of honey bees. When used for a short time and with care, miticides can be less harmful to honey bees. Breeding varroa-resistant honey bees allow to reduce the use of miticides and produce organic honey. Therefore, the further development of beekeeping should be in the direction of selection for disease and Varroa resistance and adaptation to the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower is a highly important bee floral crop. The nectar secretion governs this parameter and is greatly influenced by cultivar, environmental factors and fertilizer application. Studies were conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on sunflower hybrids (PSH 996 and PSH 1962) sown on different dates (January 31, February 10, February 20 and March 2) with three levels of nitrogen (45, 60 and 75 kg ha-1). Delay in sowing from January 31 to March 2 caused significant reduction in nectar secretion (12.66%) and increase in its concentration (5.38%). The daily mean temperature had significant positive (R2 = 0.52 and 0.54) while mean relative humidity had negative (R2 = 0.55 and 0.37) correlation with nectar total soluble solids (TSS).Nectar secretion and its TSS increased significantly only at nitrogen dose of 60 kg ha-1 as compared to 45 kg ha-1.Weather parameters have more pronounced effects on TSS at 45 kg ha-1.Delay in sowing by one month resulted in reduction in honey production potential by 1.5- 1.8 kg ha-1. In addition to this, the reduced nectar availability due to delay in sowing may negatively effect in attracting and sustaining pollinators’ populations and crop yield.

Although beekeeping in Serbia has a long tradition, the interest of farmers for this branch of agricultural production depends on the expected economic benefits. Assessing the economic justification of beekeeping is based on the analysis of the revenues from honey production, as the main and often the only beekeeping product, and the expenses generated in production. The aim of the paper is to compare revenues and expenses in the production of honey and to determine the threshold of profitability. The calculation of the revenues and the expenses was made on the basis of data obtained from the survey of beekeepers and from the available secondary sources. The analysis showed that the profitability threshold was achieved with 68 colonies, or with production volume of 1,450 kg of honey. The values of the indicators of economic efficiency, productivity and profitability indicate that beekeeping was economically justified on farms with 100 and 200 colonies.

Numerous flowering plants rely on bees for pollination. Any natural or anthropogenic factor that threatens colony survival can have a large impact on plant production. This study investigates the effects of manmade hives built from different materials and how these may influence colony growth. Ten each of three hive types were selected, wooden, polystyrene and composite insulated hives. Factors of adult bee numbers, brood development, nectar flow period weight gain, bee flight activity, aggression response, and honey yield were selected markers of hive development. Statistically, each hive type produced significant variation (p

Bee-eaters (Meropidae) are considered agricultural pests and their presence provokes conflicts with beekeepers and farmers who rely on the pollination services of honey bees. This problem is often deal with through the mass killing of the birds, even though the quantitative evidence on the impact of bee-eaters on honey bee colonies is scarce. The current paper reports the performance of honey bee colonies protected with mist nets from migrating flocks of European bee-eaters Merops apiaster in Israel. In the study the weight gains of bee hives surrounded by mist nets were 6.44 times higher than that of unprotected hives (26.4 kg vs. 4.1 kg). The results confirmed that bee-eaters locally pose a problem to apiaries and potentially to the crops that require pollination. Mist- netting appeared to be an effective mitigation method for alleviating conflicts between beekeepers and bee-eaters. However, the study also showed that bees were able to differentiate between their main predator and other avian species trapped in mist nets and stung only bee-eaters. Moreover, the bees were targeting the most vulnerable body parts of birds which resulted in some bird fatalities. Therefore, due to accidental mortal- ity of birds, mist-netting is recommended only on the migratory routes in cases when bee hives cannot be moved to other areas.

Copyright of Polish Statistician / Wiadomości Statystyczne is the property of State Treasury - Statistics Poland and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gazdalkodas is the property of Herman Otto Intezet Nonprofit Kft. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The objective of this research is to reduce the dimensionality of the set of original variables related to honey production and biometric measurements of stingless bees, eliminating redundant variables and recommending possible variables that should be maintained in future studies. Four collections were performed at 30-day intervals, consisting of the evaluation of each colony, considering the following parameters: honey pot size and volume (HPS and HPV), estimated honey production (EHP), number of combs (NC), average diameter of the combs (DC), comb height (CH), height of brood cells (HBC), number of brood (NB) population (POP) and beeswax brood capping(BBC). Of the 11 principal components generated, the first two were selected because they presented cumulative variation of 80%. The characteristics with the greatest weighting coefficients, in absolute value, in the first component were EHP (0.91), honey pot number (0.80) and HPS (0.78), characterizing CP1 as an index for determining the production of honey. In the second component, the NB and POP had the same weighting coefficient (0.95), which allows us to indicate CP2 as a biometric profile. The variables EHP, HPV, HPS, NB and POP were the most important among the two components selected and should be considered in future studies with Melipona scutellaris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sunflower is a highly important bee floral crop. The nectar secretion governs this parameter and is greatly influenced by cultivar, environmental factors and fertilizer application. Studies were conducted at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana on sunflower hybrids (PSH 996 and PSH 1962) sown on different dates (January 31, February 10, February 20 and March 2) with three levels of nitrogen (45, 60 and 75 kg ha-1). Delay in sowing from January 31 to March 2 caused significant reduction in nectar secretion (12.66%) and increase in its concentration (5.38%). The daily mean temperature had significant positive (R² = 0.52 and 0.54) while mean relative humidity had negative (R² = 0.55 and 0.37) correlation with nectar total soluble solids (TSS). Nectar secretion and its TSS increased significantly only at nitrogen dose of 60 kg ha-1 as compared to 45 kg ha-1. Weather parameters have more pronounced effects on TSS at 45 kg ha-1.Delay in sowing by one month resulted in reduction in honey production potential by 1.5-1.8 kg ha-1. In addition to this, the reduced nectar availability due to delay in sowing may negatively effect in attracting and sustaining pollinators' populations and crop yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major concern globally is the need to ensure health, economy, large food production, sustainable management of the environment and the renewable natural resources. Such concern has advance measure part of which generate up to date information necessary for long term exploitation of this resources. But this information itself requires planning as well as machinery for its management in Nigeria. However agro-apiculture/agro-forestry is still nonexistence. This is attributable partly to lack of understanding, information and awareness regarding agro-apiculture practice in forest plantation. And therefore, to create this awareness and draw of authority concerned-Governments, policy maker, town planning and municipal authority to the need for the incorporation of apiculture into agro-forestry for sustainable management. This fact therefore, justifies the growing interest in the apiculture with agro forestry. This paper focuses on the potential role of agro forestry in honey production in federal college of forestry since 1999 to 2016 and its associated environmental problems are highlighted while the potential of agro forestry in honey production are stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gazdalkodas is the property of Herman Otto Intezet Nonprofit Kft. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology is the property of Chinese Journal of Applied Entomology, Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Honey samples produced in the years 2010 and 2011, in an area of caatinga vegetation in the semi-arid region of Piauí State (Brazil), were analyzed using microscopy in order to track their botanical origin by the pollen grains present. Samples (19) were dissolved in ethanol and acetolyzed. The absolute concentration of pollen grains was obtained by comparison with the exotic marker Lycopodium clavatum L., and at least 500 pollen grains were counted per sample. The most diverse families were Leguminosae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Myrtaceae, reflecting the characteristics of the semi-arid region and the caatinga, including endemic species. Samples from February (2010) showed a greater richness of pollen types, which is probably associated with the onset of the rainy season. Even during the dry season, there was honey production, with a considerable diversity of pollen types. This indicates that there are plant species in flower during the dry season that are important to sustaining bee colonies. Mimosa caesalpiniifolia and Pityrocarpa moniliformis were the only predominant pollen types; Coutarea and P. moniliformis were the secondary types. The pollen types Borreria verticillata, Combretum, Croton, Herissantia, Hyptis, Microtea, Mimosa caesalpiniifolia, M. misera, M. tenuiflora, P. moniliformis and Poaceae are very frequent in the analyzed honey, and characteristic of honey from Simplício Mendes. The absolute concentration analysis showed that 69% of the honey was classified in category I, 26% in category II and 5% in category III. A cluster analysis showed the formation of two major clades, one that shared many pollen types of Croton (S2) and another that shared the pollen types Borreria verticillata and Hyptis (S1). Two samples were considered monofloral honey (from M. caesalpiniifolia) and the remainder were considered heterofloral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyzed honey production concentration in Romania in the period 2009-2018 using the specific indicators: number of beekeepers, bee hives, honey production and yield per bee hive, and methods like: trend equation, Herfindhal-Hirschman concentration index (HHI), regression models, correlations and determination coefficients to examine the gains in comparison with the period 2007-2016. The results pointed out that both the number of bee colonies and honey production increased in a high measure, only honey yield remained stable (20 kg/year). In 2018, Romania came on important positions in the EU-28 top honey producing countries as follows: 2nd position for 1,689.5 thousand bee hives, 1st position for 30,000 tons honey production, 3rd position for 80 average number of bee hives per apiary, and 18th position for 20 kg honey yield per bee hive. In 2018, the distribution of the bee hives and honey production in the territory was: 18.5% South West Oltenia, 16.2% South East, 14.6% North West, 13.6% South Muntenia, 13.3 % North East, 12% Center, 10.6% West and 1.2% Bucharest-Ilfov. Compared to 2009, honey production increased in 2018 in almost all the micro-regions, except North East, where it remained stable. HHI indices had values below 0.15 reflecting a low concentration. Compared to the period 2007-2016, in the interval 2009-2018, the mean for the number of bee hives and honey production increased, the correlation and determination coefficients recorded higher values for the pair of indicators: honey production and the number of bee hives and for the honey production and yield, while for the average yield and the number of bee hives the values were smaller. Regression equations attested that honey production is about 50% determined by the number of bee hives and in smaller proportion by honey yield. Beekeeping has to continue to develop for assuring the pollination of the agricultural crops, the preservation of biodiversity and environment and for providing healthy products for consumers, jobs and incomes for the rural population. The EU and National Programmes for Apiculture will strengthen this sector keeping pace with the increased competitiveness on the EU honey market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The beekeeping sector is a small sector in the EU, but plays an important role in agriculture, because of the process of pollination and honey production. The primary aim of the present study is to perform the comparative analysis of beekeeping sector in V4 countries for the 2018 beekeeping year. During the research and analysis, different international and EU databases were used. Secondary data used in the analysis derive from the reports of National Apiculture Programmes, the European Commission and from the databases of Eurostat, Faostat, Trademap and the United Nations Comtrade Database. Results show that the number of hives as well as honey production increased, the association of the studied regions in the field of beekeeping could greatly contribute to their profitability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cross sectional study was carried out from November 2013 to March 2014 to collect the information on beekeeping practice in the study area. From this study, about 91.7% Traditional and 8.3% Transitional and Modern beekeeping system were identified. The honey yield/hive from traditional, transitional and improved hives was 10.1kg/year, 18.5kg/year and 29.6kg/year, respectively. Two honey flow seasons were identified in the study area. The major challenges of beekeeping were, bee disease, pests and predators, pesticide poisoning, lack of beekeeping equipments and materials, lack of honey storage facilities, lack of skill poor extension service. Due to high potential of the study area for apiculture and good quality standard of the honey, it is recommended to exploit the potential for export market with better intervention. Further study is also required to characterize the honeybees of the area and major pests and diseases of economic importance and their control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beekeeping activities in Turkey between the years 2018 and 2007 are discussed in this study. The current status of honey production and number of hives in the process has been demonstrated. Turkey's 81 provinces are carried out more or less in beekeeping. While the geographic regions were examined, data were also included in the provincial scale. In terms of production and beehive, it is seen that the Black Sea Region takes the first place and the Southeast Anatolia Region takes the first place. In terms of production, while Ordu was the first with 16994 tons in 2018, Kilis takes the last place with 43 tons. Muğla takes the first place in the number of hives with 935463 units, while Uşak takes the last place with 8479 units concept does not exist in current literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in two purposefully selected zones of Oromiya Regional State, namely Jimma and Illubabor. The objective of the study was to analyse the honey-bee production and to assess hive technology preferences in the study area. A total of 156 beekeepers were randomly and proportionately selected from four districts (Mana and Gomma from Jimma and Bacho and Yayo from Illubabor). Data were collected through formal survey and secondary sources. Accordingly, the average age of the beekeepers was 40.2 ± 8.13 years with an average of 13.5 ± 6.58 years of experience. The majority of the respondents (53.2%) in the study area got their colonies by catching swarms. Three hive types (traditional, transitional, and frame hive) were found in the study area. More than 70% of the respondents harvested once a year from traditional hives, while 25% of respondents harvested up to three times per year from frame hives. Moreover, an average of 22 ± 4.6 and 16 ± 4.1 kg of honey were harvested from frame and transitional hives per year, respectively. Compared to these two hives, a much lower (7 ± 1.6 kg) amount of honey was harvested from traditional hives. Various honey-bee floras were identified in the study area. Plants such as Vernonia amygdalina, Croton macrostachyus, and Schefflera sp. produce white honey. Half of the respondents’ preferred transitional hive followed by frame hive (37.2%). Factors which affect the use of frame hives were lack of equipment (36.5%) followed by wax quality and availability problems (34%). That is why few beekeepers tried to modify the frame hive to solve the problems of wax in vertical frame hive. In order to adopt and sustain modern hive technology, the focus should be on honey-bee equipment as well as wax quality and availability.

The article presents an analysis of honey productivity of forest areas after conducting sanitary measures in pine and fir plantations of the Training and Experimental Forestry of the Belarusian State University of Forestry in order to identify the optimal conditions for the collection of honey in them. For this purpose, the problem to determine honey production of different parcels of the researched areas has been studied. The completeness of the cutting area is determined, which ensures maximum honey productivity, factors of the formation of crimson parcels are revealed.

The hygienic behavior and variables related to the varroa mite in Apis mellifera colonies, with queens of different origins, were evaluated from October 2013 to June 2014. Queens from the selection program of the Maringá State University (Maringá / PR), from a beekeeper/ producer of Santa Terezinha/ SC and unselected queens, randomly selected in an experimental apiary (Irineópolis / SC) were evaluated. Colonies with queens of Maringá presented an increase in the invasion rate and total reproduction of varroa as there was reduction of hygienic behavior. This group presented a reduction in the effective reproduction of the mite, with a mean of 2.3 fertile offspring. Colonies with queens of Santa Terezinha presented an increase in the invasion rate due to the reduction of hygienic behavior, but in a less marked manner, since this characteristic remained stable, with an average of 92.0%. The total and effective reproduction of the mite for this group was 1.7 and 0.9 of total and fertile offspring, respectively. Colonies with queens of Irineópolis showed the lowest hygienic behavior (78.0%) and the highest total (12.6) and effective (5.3) reproduction of the mite. The use of selected queens, with hygienic behavior, interferes with the varroa population dynamics, contributing to the reduction of the invasion and total and effective reproduction rates of the mite.

Introduction: Nariño department has great potential for beekeeping activity as its diverse climate supports the growth of a wide variety of melliferous flora. Nonetheless, the beekeeping activity in this region plays a minor role in the agricultural sector. The low development of this activity can be partly explained by the lack of technology transfer, limited unionization, and lack of knowledge of bee handling, diseases, and defensive behavior. Objectives: To assess the defensive, hygienic, and productive behavior of Apis mellifera for queen selection and breeding in the Nariño department. Methods: The study was conducted in four towns located in the Nariño department. Five hives in production were selected from one apiary in each town. The variables assessed were: defensive behavior, hygienic behavior, varroa infestation in worker brood, varroa infestation in adult bees, and honey production. Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated between each of these variables and the climatic factors reported by each town during the assessment period. Results: The removal of dead bees ranged between 82.6% and 90.6% in the four apiaries; hence, the hives were considered to be hygienic. A high level of varroa infestation in adult bees was observed in one of the apiaries (8.38%), and the defensive behavior was remarkably high in all the apiaries assessed. Conclusions: Honey production showed a negative correlation with precipitation (P < 0.001), suggesting the adverse effect of increased precipitation on honey production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Diyala Agricultural Sciences Journal is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study estimates and compares technical efficiency levels among beekeeping projects with various production capacities using a sample drawn from Fayoum Governorate in Egypt. The study also compares among beekeeping's most important economic indicators, estimates the optimum production amount, and investigates why technical efficiency in Egyptian beekeeping is declining. We conclude that the average cost to produce one ton of honey decreases when production capacity increases. Furthermore, the average total, net return, and return on investment of one Egyptian pound increases when production capacity increases. Moreover, the results of a stochastic frontier production function indicate an increased return to scale. Finally, the results of maximum likelihood estimation show that technical inefficiency helps explain the deviation of actual from optimal production amounts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper offers information on the energy efficiency of the honey production in the mountainous area of Romania. The field research was carried out as a face-to-face interview in 2018, on a representative sample including 134 beekeepers. The main results of the analysis of the energy input-output are: input energy 754.9 MJ/hive, net energy -417.3 MJ/hive, efficient energy use 0.47 and specific energy 27.0 MJ/kg. From the total inputs, direct inputs and renewable inputs account for 38.1% and 5.1%, respectively. The apiaries with less than 50 hives have energy efficiency higher than the larger ones, but this phenomenon is adjusted when the size is over 150 hives. The highest energy output was obtained from the apiaries with a size of over 150 hives, but they are also the ones that involved the highest energy consumption as a result of the hives being moved in areas with high melliferous potential. Among the sources of input energy, the contribution of energy related to diesel fuel was the highest, followed by sugar. These inputs are needed both to ensure the mobility of the apiaries and to counteract the effect of unfavorable natural conditions. The regression analysis shows that compliance with the bee-keeping operations system, optimization of the transport distances and more frequent replacement of the queens with individuals with high genetic potential can lead to higher energy performance of Romania's apiaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The purpose of the investigation was to analyze the relationships between the defensiveness, diameter of the worker's baby cell and the production of honey bees (Apis mellifera) in the highlands of Ecuador. Methods: 75 bee colonies were evaluated in the months of March-April, May-July (during the production stage) and September, at altitudes between 2 600 and 3 274 m a.s.l. To each colony the defense was determined through the flag technique, the diameter of the cells was obtained through the measurement of ten cells of the worker's honeycomb and the honey production was determined by difference of weight. Results: An average value of 14 stingers/min was found, the maximum and minimum values for this behavioral trait were 47 and 4 stingers/min; for the diameter of the 10 cells, an average of 5.28 cm was found, with maximum and minimum values of 5.50 and 4.95 cm, respectively. A significant correlation was identified (-0.358 **), which indicates that colonies with greater defensiveness had a smaller cell diameter. The production showed an average of 25.08 kg of honey / colony, unrelated to the variables under study. Conclusions: There were no relationships between production and the other variables under study, so it would be possible to select less defensive colonies and with larger cell diameters, without affecting honey production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional farming has been implicated in global biodiversity and pollinator declines and organic farming is often regarded as a more ecological alternative. However, the effects of organic farming on honeybees remain elusive, despite honeybees' importance as pollinators of crops and wild plants.Using 6 years of data from a large‐scale study with fortnightly measurements of honeybee colony performance traits (10 apiaries per year distributed across a 435 km2‐large research site in France), we related worker brood area, number of adult bees and honey reserves to the proportions of organic farmland in the surroundings of the hives at two spatial scales (300 m and 1,500 m).We found evidence that, at the local scale, organic farming increased both worker brood production and number of adult bees in the period of flower scarcity between the blooms of oilseed rape and sunflower (hereafter 'dearth period'). At the landscape scale, organic farming increased honey reserves during the dearth period and at the beginning of the sunflower bloom.The results suggest that worker brood development benefitted from organic farming mostly through a more diverse diet due to an increase in the availability of diverse pollen sources in close proximity of their hives. Reduced pesticide drift may have additionally improved bee survival. Honey reserves were possibly mostly affected by increased availability of melliferous flowers in foraging distance.Synthesis and applications. Organic farming increases honeybee colony performance in a period of resource scarcity, likely through a continuous supply of floral resources including weeds, cover crops and semi‐natural elements. We demonstrate how worker brood area increases in the critical dearth period (between the blooms of oilseed rape and sunflower). This has previously been linked to winter colony survival, suggesting that organic farmland may mitigate repercussions of intensive farming on colony vitality. We conclude that organic farming benefits a crucial crop pollinator with potential positive implications for agriculture in the wider landscape. Organic farming increases honeybee colony performance in a period of resource scarcity, likely through a continuous supply of floral resources including weeds, cover crops and semi‐natural elements. We demonstrate how worker brood area increases in the critical dearth period (between the blooms of oilseed rape and sunflower). This has previously been linked to winter colony survival, suggesting that organic farmland may mitigate repercussions of intensive farming on colony vitality. We conclude that organic farming benefits a crucial crop pollinator with potential positive implications for agriculture in the wider landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turkey is one of the best areas for beekeeping because of its geography, climate, and the diversity of flora and fauna. Beekeeping is a traditional and socio-economic activity which is performed throughout Anatolia and has a place in our culture. Besides this, bee-keeping is very important to protect biodiversity and pass it onto the next generations, and also to provide and enhance food security. There are more than 100,000 families with 6.6 million colonies in Turkey. With all those, bee-keeping contributes to Turkish economy around US$ 5-6 billion, not only through bee products but also pollination. As a part of the national policy, ORKÖY (the office of forest-village relations) provides micro-credits to villagers, who live in and around forested areas. In this study, ORKOY branch office distributed 30 beehives to 80 villagers with beekeeping certificates (in 2016 and 2017) and let them put their hives in the "honey forest" which was established in the region by the Forest Directorate. Face-to-face surveys, interviews and observations were conducted with 80 participants who benefited from beehive support and "honey forest." At the end of the study, socio-economic effects and welfare improvement of local people through beekeeping and producing of bee products are analyzed in the northwest of Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Hiring pollination services has become an important strategy to secure fruit set in many pollinator-dependent crops, especially in monocultures such as the Californian almond (Prunus dulcis) groves, where the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) is frequently deployed to compensate deficiencies in the natural provision of insect-mediated pollination. Such beekeeper-farmer cooperation has been the focus of many economic models, although it is only one in a variety of setups under which bees (wild and managed) contribute to agriculture. Based on a thorough literature review and on our own research, we generalize the basic model by Rucker et al. (2012) to describe farmer-beekeeper interactions as determined by diverse agro-ecological, institutional and socioeconomic conditions. The generalized model serves as an analytical framework to classify real world farmer-ecosystem-beekeeper interactions, to identify possible causes for a suboptimal crop pollination and to formulate informed policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated varroa infestation and the performance of Africanized honeybee colonies with queens selected for honey and royal jelly production, and also unselected queens, correlating with climatic variables. In Campo Alegre, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, the experiment I used 10 Langstroth hives and in Mafra, Santa Catarina State, Brazil, the experiment II was performed with 15 Schenk hives. A mapping in areas of sealed and unsealed brood, honey and pollen was carried out on days zero, 45 and 90 days after the introduction of the queen. In the experiment I, there was interaction between the type of queen selection and the evaluation period for areas of sealed brood, honey, and total stored food. The group selected for royal jelly production presented larger sealed brood area and smaller honey area at 90 days. Varroa infestation was lower (p < 0.05) at 90 days. The type of queen selection and the evaluation period influenced the sealed brood area, the total brood and the total area occupied in the colony. The high relative humidity caused greater honey storage for the local group. The different groups of queens presented different behavior according to the environment in which they are settled.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of additive feeding with pollen and water on honey yield, colony population, winter loses and wintering ability of colonies in pine honey production season in Muğla province of Turkey. Total twenty honeybee colonies had similar physiological pattern (queen age, genotype, amount of adult worker bees (number of frames covered with adult worker bees), sealed brood areas (cm2) and food stocks) were used and randomly divided into four groups. Three of them were fed extra with pollen+water, pollen and water. The control colonies were not given additive foods. Honey yield in pollen+water, pollen, water and control groups were found to be 24.2±1.1, 17.3±0.8, 16.3±1.0 and 12.0±0.6 kg/colony respectively. Group means were statistically significant. From September 25 to February 15 (wintering), losses of the adult worker bees in pollen+water, pollen, water and control groups were 50%, 69%, 68% and 82%, decrease of sealed brood areas in the groups were 48%, 66%, 68% and 85%, respectively. Wintering ability of pollen+water, pollen, water and control groups were found to be 92.1±3.2, 70.4±17.8, 67.1±16.7 and 51.0±21.2% respectively. The results showed that additive feeding in pine honey production season, especially feeding with both pollen+water provided nearly 100% more honey production and 80% better wintering ability than the control group. In addition, feeding with only pollen or water had similar positive effect (approximately 40%) better than control group

The aim of this paper is to analyze the trends and development of Bulgarian beekeeping. The study is based on official statistical data of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and fieldwork study for the period 2009-2012. To achieve the above aim, first of all, the authors trance the changes in the production of honey until 2012 and second they analyze the distribution of farms according the number of bee colonies and prophylactic methods of their feeding up. In addition, in study was revealed the reasons for distribution of the bee colonies and identified the important problems facing the sector in term of the legislation, protection of the bee colonies, the control of the importing the queen bees and market development of the bee products. The one of main results of the study showed that the number of bee colonies in the country decrease even highly expert-oriented production of honey in Bulgaria.

Belonging to the Integrated Territory of Serra da Capivara, semi-arid Brazil, the economy of São Raimundo Nonato is based on the agricultural sector with emphasis on honey production and small animal husbandry. The objective of the study was to perform an analysis of the environmental, social, economic and technical aspects of the beekeeping sector in the municipality of São Raimundo Nonato. A direct field survey was carried out with the application of a semistructured questionnaire, individually applied in the communities of São Vítor, Nova Jerusalém and Macacos. The average honey productivity in the year 2016 varied between 15 and 25 kg per hive/year and the total production was approximately 39,000 kg. The beekeeping activity in the communities collaborates expressively in the financial income of the families involved, strengthening the beekeeper/farmer and family is economy and permanence in the field, the net annual income of 80% of beekeepers is 5000 reais with the sale of honey. On the environmental aspect, there is an awareness of beekeepers in which the preservation of flora is substantial for the growth of the productive chain. Increasing productivity and exploiting new bee products such as propolis, royal jelly, pollen, wax and honeycomb in the pot are the biggest yearnings of beekeepers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of the influence of climatic factors on the honey qualities of Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth was carried out by conducting the field experiments. The main objective is to study the influence of air temperature and humidity on the formation and extraction of nectar from plants flowers. Determine the impact of climatic factors on the flowering duration, the number of plant blooms, the amount of nectar, and the composition of sugars in the nectar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous flowering plants rely on bees for pollination. Any natural or anthropogenic factor that threatens colony survival can have a large impact on plant production. This study investigates the effects of manmade hives built from different materials and how these may influence colony growth. Ten each of three hive types were selected, wooden, polystyrene and composite insulated hives. Factors of adult bee numbers, brood development, nectar flow period weight gain, bee flight activity, aggression response, and honey yield were selected markers of hive development. Statistically, each hive type produced significant variation (p <.05). The greatest overall productivity across all factors was for insulated hives made of composite material, with honey production approximately 35% times that of wood, 14% times that of polystyrene and in terms of the development of honeybee colonies, the average of other hives is 10.2 times. Relative humidity and temperature are important environmental factors for honeybees. Insulated hives, increased honey yield. High temperature and humidity inside the hive made honeybees more aggressive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted in three districts viz., Sirajgonj, Gazipur and Satkhira during the mustard, litchi, and mangrove blooming period, respectively during 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 cropping seasons to study honey production efficiency of traditional hive and poly super hive. The study was carried out in paired plot design. Fourteen boxes were used in each setup, among them seven were traditional hive and seven were poly super hive. In Ullapara of Sirajganj district during 2015-16 poly super hive yielded the highest (17.03 kg hive-1 season-1) honey. In 2016-17 (mustard) the highest honey was harvested from poly super hive operated at Tarash (18.63 kg hive-1 season-1) and the lowest honey yielded in poly super hive at Shahjadpur. At Kapasia of Gazipur during 2015-2016 (litchi) the poly super hive produced the highest (20.46 kg hive-1 season-1) honey yield cropping season and the lowest (20 kg hive-1 season-1) was in Kaliganj (Gazipur district). On the other hand, during 2016-2017 it was observed that in poly super hive produced the highest (14.92 kg hive-1 season-1) honey operated in Gazipur Sadar and the lowest (13.93 kg hive-1 season-1) was in Kaliganj. In Satkhira during 2015-16 cropping season (mangrove) the poly super hive gave the highest (14.92 kg hive-1 season-1) honey yield and it was obtained from Tala and the lowest (14.65 kg hive-1 season-1) honey was yielded and it obtained in Kaliganj. Again during cropping season 2016-17 poly super hive produced the highest (12.5 kg hive-1 season-1) honey and it was from Tala and the lowest (11.45 kg hive-1 season-1) in Munshiganj. There was significantly less honey production was recorded in traditional bee hives than the poly super hive. During 2016-17 season honey production was higher than 2015-16 season at Sirajganj. However, opposite result was observed at Gazipur and Satkhira. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]