Management of honey bee colonies during monsoon season

摘要

Management of honey bee colonies is season-specific since different seasons have differential influence not only on colony development but also on the incidence of various natural enemies and several other problems It is because the physical parameters of weather (e.g. temperature, relative humidity and rainfall) which have direct influence on bees behaviour and activity and hence on colony development, affect the availability of bee flora. The availability of bee flora (abundance/dearth) directly and indirectly influence the colony productivity. Further, the physical variables of weather also influence the incidence of various bee enemies which have definite and direct effect on colony strength and thereby on colony productivity. Accordingly, the year-round management practices have been given differently for spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter seasons.