Sugar syrup as substitute for nectar: Effect on production and density of the honey bee Apis mellifera Adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apiidae) in artificial beehive
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Date
2007
Authors
Fasasi, K.A
Malaka, S.L.O
Amund, O.O
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Abstract
The effect of sugar syrup on colonies of Apis mellifera Adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apidae), in an apiary at University of Lagos, was studied and the colonies were monitored between Nov. 2001 and Oct. 2003. During this period, sugar syrup was administered as nectar substitute to Colonies A and B colonies C and D which lacked sugar syrup served as controls. In the 1st dry season (Nov.2001 – Apr. 2002), the production of colonies A and B were 35.0 kg and 30.5 kg and their population densities were 24,610 and 22,727 respectively, while the production of colonies C and D were 37.0 kg and 40.5 kg and the population densities were 27,040 and 29,790 respectively. In the 1st wet season (May 2002–Oct. 2002), colonies A and B weighed 24.5 kg and 22.5 kg, respectively, while their population densities were 25,360 and 23,810 respectively, Colonies C and D weighed 22.5 kg and 24.0 kg and their population densities were 15,846 and 22,500, respectively. Colonies A and B weighed 42.5 kg and 39.0 kg and had population density of 34,770 and 33,240 respectively in the 2nd dry season (Nov. 2002) – Apr. 2003). Colonies C and D had comparatively lower production (29.5 kg and 35.5 kg) and population densities (25,592 and 31,634 respectively). This study showed that administration of sugar syrup to colonies of A. mellifera Adansonii in wet season sustained more population of bees for foraging activities in the 2nd dry season. This significantly increases population and production in colonies A and B in the 2nd dry season.
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Keywords
Apis mellifera Adansonii , Beehive
Citation
Fasasi, Malaka and Amund (2007). Sugar syrup as substitute for nectar : Effect on production and density of the honey bee Apis mellifera Adansonii (Hymenoptera: Apiidae) in artificial beehive. Nigerian Journal of Entomology 24, 48-53.