Theory

1)Bee keeping and honey production

Beekeeping or Apiculture (derived from Latin word, ‘Apis’ meaning ‘bees’) is an art and
science of rearing and Managing honey bees in a box called “beehive” for pollination and
the production of honey and other Products like beeswax, propolis, royal jelly etc.
Beekeeping/ Apiculture is an industry, Which provides valuable honey, beeswax and
pollination services of honey bees.

Types of Honeybees used in Beekeeping:

Honey bees belong to the Phylum- Arthropod, Class- Hexapoda / Insecta, Order-
Hymenoptera And Family- Apidae. Beekeeping includes activities concerned with the
Practical management of the social honeybee species. The bee species used in beekeeping
are:

Apis dorsata (The rock- bee)

This is the largest honeybee. It Builds single large open comb on high branches of trees and
rocks and Produces large quantity of honey, but this bee is difficult to domesticate. It is
ferocious, stings severely causing fever and sometimes even death.

2. Apis cerena indica (The Indian bee)

It is Medium – sized and Hive consists of several parallel combs in dark places such as
cavities of tree Trunks, mud walls, earthen posts, etc. This bee is not so ferocious and can be
domesticated.

3. Apis florea (The little bee)

It is Small – sized. It Builds single small combs in bushes, hedges, etc. Honey yield is poor.

4.Apis mellifera (The Italian/European bee)

It is Somewhat like the Indian bee (Apis indica). This has been introducted in many parts of
the world including India.It is easily domesticated.

5.Dammer Bee/Stingless bee

Two species of stingless or dammer bees, viz. Melipona and Trigona occur in our country In
abundance. The honey is reported to be of high medicinal value compared to Apis Honey.
The stingless bees have the importance in the pollination of various food crops.They bite
their enemies or intruders and can be domesticated. But the honey yield per hive Per year is
only 100 gms.

Queen is distinguished from the worker by her larger size, mean Body length of workers and
queen measuring 4.07 and 10.07 mm respectively. Queen is Golden brown in colour and has
a pointed abdomen. The workers are black pigmented and With pale yellow. Mandibles in
workers are smaller than that of the queen.

The above-mentioned bees may provide livelihoods and/or A source of income for many
households in rural areas And small farms.
Requirements for a good harvest in Apiculture

Achieving a good harvest in apiculture (beekeeping) requires careful planning, proper

management, and attention to various factors that influence bee colony health and honey
production. Here are the key requirements for a successful harvest in apiculture:

1) Selection of good apiary site – Ensure proper selection of apiary sites.

Suitable sites Are away from sources of pollution such as intensive Agriculture
and industries, and provide sufficient bee Fodder all year round. In addition,
beehives should Be sheltered from humidity and cold winds
2) **Healthy Bee Colonies**: Healthy bee colonies are essential for a good
harvest. This includes having a sufficient population of worker bees, a
productive queen, and minimal disease and pest issues. Regular hive
inspections, disease monitoring, and timely treatments are crucial for
maintaining colony health.Beekeeping can be taken up with either of the two
domesticated honey bee species (Apiscerana and A. mellifera )
3) **Adequate Food Supply**: Bees require a consistent and adequate food
supply, primarily nectar and pollen, to thrive and produce honey. Beekeepers
should ensure that there are ample floral resources available near the hives
throughout the foraging season. Supplemental feeding may be necessary
during periods of scarcity.
4) **Proper Hive Management**: Beekeepers should practice proper hive
management techniques, including maintaining clean and organized hives,
providing sufficient space for colony expansion, managing hive ventilation and
moisture levels, and replacing old or damaged equipment as needed.
5) **Disease and Pest Control**: Effective disease and pest management are
critical for preventing colony losses and ensuring a successful harvest. This
includes monitoring for Varroa mites, hive beetles, wax moths, and other
pests, as well as treating colonies promptly and using integrated pest
management (IPM) strategies.
6) **Harvest Timing**: Timing the harvest correctly is crucial for maximizing
honey production. Beekeepers should monitor honey flow indicators, such as
hive activity, nectar availability, and capped honey frames, to determine the
optimal time for harvesting honey without depleting the bees’ food reserves.
7) **Quality Equipment and Tools**: Using high-quality beekeeping equipment,
such as hives, frames, bee suits, smokers, and extraction tools, can facilitate
efficient hive management, honey extraction, and overall beekeeping
operations.
Different flowers available for Apiculture

Honey bees collect nectar and pollen from a variety of plants which are known as bee flora
or Bee forage or bee pasture or nectar and pollen plants. Nectar is source of honey, meeting
the Carbohydrate requirements of honey bees, where as pollen is source of protein. Water is
mixed with honey And pollen before bees eat it or feed it to the brood (egg, larvae & pupa).
The worker bees that collect pollen, nector, water And propolis for the colony are also called
as ‘forager’. Thus, foragers collect following Substances for the colony:

(i) Nector
(ii) Pollen
(iii) Propolis
(iv) Water

The flora of an area is characteristic Of its agro climatic conditions and as such varies from
place to place. This flora is also a food Base for large number of pollinators. Bees visit flowers
And extra- floral nectarines of about 500 flowering plants and trees to collect pollen and
Nector for food.

1. **Clover**: White clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) are
excellent sources of nectar for bees. They are often found in pastures, meadows, and
fields.
2. **Sunflower**: Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are large, showy flowers that
produce ample pollen and nectar, making them attractive to bees. They are
commonly grown in agricultural fields and gardens.
3. **Wildflowers**: Various wildflowers, including dandelions, goldenrod, aster, and
wild clover, provide important forage for bees, especially in natural habitats and
uncultivated areas.
4. **Fruit Trees**: Fruit trees such as apple, cherry, peach, plum, and pear trees
produce flowers that bees visit for nectar and pollen during bloom periods, aiding in
pollination and honey production.
5. **Herbs**: Herbs like thyme, oregano, sage, mint, and basil produce flowers that
attract bees and provide additional forage options, especially in herb gardens.
6. **Raspberry and Blackberry**: Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and blackberry (Rubus
fruticosus) bushes produce flowers that bees visit for nectar and pollen, contributing
to pollination and potential honey production.
7. **Wildflower Mixes**: Beekeepers may also plant or encourage the growth of
wildflower mixes containing a variety of nectar and pollen-rich flowers to provide
continuous forage throughout the beekeeping season.

It’s important for beekeepers to have a diverse range of flowering plants available in their
vicinity to ensure a consistent and nutritious food supply for bees throughout the year.
Additionally, planting bee-friendly flowers not only benefits bee colonies but also supports
pollinators and promotes biodiversity in ecosystems.