Dynamics of protein food stocks in bee families during the active season

Abstract

Goal. To find out the regularitshys of accumulation of protein feed (perga) by honey bees (Apis mellifera sossimai). Methods. Zootechnical (selection of groups of analogs, the study of development and productivity of bee colonies and their winter hardiness), mathematical and statistical (assessment of the reliability of the received results). Biometric data processing was performed on a PC using MS Excel software with built-in statistical functions. Results. The dynamics of the accumulation of protein feed (perga) largely determine the development and productivity of bee colonies. Large reserves of protein feed contribute to increasing the strength of bee colonies to the fuller use of honey. The highest amount of protein feed per unit of brood was found on average in strong bee colonies, the lowest — in weak, medium bee colonies occupied an intermediate place. The change in perga stocks during the active season of the bee family allowed us to identify 3 periods of formation of perga stocks. Conclusions. The supply of protein feed is determined by the needs of bee colonies, their strength, the presence of plants that provide bees with pollen, as well as weather conditions for pollen collection. The intensity of harvesting perga by worker bees and the creation of protein feed in nests depend on the condition of bee colonies. The maximum value of perga stocks of 170 hundred cells was found in strong bee colonies in May, the lowest number of perga — in early April. According to average data, more perga is found in strong bee colonies. The obtained data on the accumulation of protein reserves of feed can be used for harvesting bee pollen or perga in honeycombs with subsequent use by bees in case of protein feed deficiency.