Performance of stingless bees (Tetragonula biroi Freise) in different hives under different ecosystems

Issue Date

10-2015

Abstract

Seven (7) meliponiaries in the Bicol Region were evaluated for productivity and adaptability of stingless bee colonies hived in traditional and box/OATH/ Rafael types. Number of brood layers, pollen and honey pots produced were counted; environmental conditions and other factors influencing their performance were described. Stingless bees in traditional hives produced more brood, honey and pollen pots, thus better than the OATH Box/ Rafael's hive. Meliponaries in different ecosystems had bees producing more broods in traditional hive in forest ecosystem (Barcelona's farm) while lowest in the agroecosystem (Rafael's apiary), but more pollen pots were produced. Higher number of honey pots were obtained in the forest ecosystem hived in traditional type and lowest in the mangrove ecosystems (Servilla's apiary). Adaptability of techniques for keeping stingless bees is influenced by the technical knowhow of the beekeeper and the environmental conditions. Significant differences among the ecosystems were influenced by the abundance of pollen and nectar sources for the bees, presence of canopies as barriers and shelter for the bees, and absence of pollutants, human disturbance, and pests affecting the bees. Meliponaries in agroecosystem, forest, mangrove and coastal ecosystems differed significantly in adaptability in keeping stingless bees.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

29

Issue

2

Page

123-135

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Physical Description

illustrations ; tables

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

HONEY BEES; MANGROVES; FORESTS; HIVES; APICULTURE; ADAPTABILITY; AGROECOSYSTEMS; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; PRODUCTIVITY

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS