ASSESSMENT OF THE PHYSIOLOGICAL STATE OF HONEY BEE COLONIES OVERWINTERING IN HIVES WITH DIFFERENT THERMOPHYSICAL PROPERTIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31861/biosystems2025.01.068Keywords:
Apis mellifera, wooden hives, polyurethane foam hives, colony winter hardinessAbstract
The article presents the results of a study on the influence of hive material properties (wooden / polyurethane foam) on the development of honey bee colonies during the wintering period under the moderately continental climate of the Pre-Carpathian region (Chernivtsi district, Ukraine). The research was conducted from autumn 2023 to spring 2024 at three apiaries located in different ecotypes. Indicators of colony winter hardiness were examined, including the weak colony percentage, colony mortality, colony strength, and sealed brood area. A comparative analysis of these indicators was performed between colonies kept in wooden hives and polyurethane foam (PUF) hives. It was found that colony strength, the percentage of weakening, and colony mortality showed minor changes during the wintering period, regardless of the hive material. However, in colonies wintered in PUF hives, the relative sealed brood area in spring was higher than in colonies kept in wooden hives. Thus, it was found that during the wintering period, colonies in wooden hives exhibit slower development during minor winter thaws, which enhances their adaptability to local climatic conditions with unstable temperature regimes. The obtained data indicate that the thermophysical properties of the materials from which modern hives are made affect the indicators of honey bee wintering success during critical periods of colony development and largely depend on the climatic and geographical conditions of overwintering.
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