Comparison of colony performances of honeybee (Apis Mellifera L.) housed in hives made of different materials.

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]