Effects of sugar feeding supplemented with three plant extracts on some parameters of honey bee colonies |
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Authors: | Ahmad A. Al-Ghamdi Hossam F. Abou-Shaara Mohammad Javed Ansari |
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Affiliation: | 1. Chair of Engineer Abdullah Ahmad Buqshan for Bee Research, Department of Plant Protection, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;2. Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Damanhour University, Damanhour 22516, Egypt;3. Department of Botany, Hindu College Moradabad, (M.J.P. Rohilkhand University Bareilly), India |
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Abstract: | Sugar feeding is crucial to bee colonies during periods without natural nectar resources. The health and the development of bee colonies are affected by the sugar feeding type. Also, some materials can be added to the sugar feeding to boost the ability of bee colonies to withstand parasites. Three materials (mint, cinnamon, and chamomile) are used commonly to control bee parasites (e.g. Varroa mites). In the present study, the effects of these materials on the development and health of bee colonies were assessed. Sugar candy supplemented with these materials plus sugar candy only as a control group were tested. Bee colonies were fed with these feeding types weekly. Then, some parameters were evaluated. The results showed the suitability of the tested feeding types to bee colonies. Building of wax foundations was accelerated in cinnamon group. This group had also the lowest infestation rates with Varroa mites, suggesting a specific role of cinnamon in Varroa control. The colony development was significantly better in chamomile group than the other groups. Mint group showed no variations than the control group in most parameters. All feeding types showed safety to bees based on morphological characteristics and bee survival results. Practically, cinnamon is advised when building of wax combs is required while chamomile is recommended when increasing strength of colonies is needed. The role of cinnamon in controlling Varroa is recommended for further investigations. |
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Keywords: | Apis mellifera Candy Survival Brood Preference Cages |
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