Some physiological characteristics of Caucasian (Apis mellifera caucasica) and Carniolan (Apis mellifera carnica) honeybee colonies in wooden and styrofoam hives in Malatya conditions

In this study, some physiological characteristics of Caucasian and Carniolan honey bees kept in Langstroth type hives manufactured from different types of materials (styrofoam and wood) were investigated. The average number of frames with bees in Caucasian x Styrofoam (KfSt), Caucasian x Wood (KfAh), Carniolan x Styrofoam (KrSt) and Carniolan x Wood (KrAh) groups were 8.3±0.48, 8.4±0.49, 8.4±0.49 and 9.0±1.15 pieces/colony and the average brood areas were 2531.86±930.15, 1996.88±978.03, 2898.26±843.15 and 3219.91±943.46 cm2/colony, respectively. The average number of bees taking off in one minute was lowest in the KrAh group with an average of 18.43±1.79 units/colony in the 1st week, while the highest was again in the KrAh group with 64±1.28 units/colony in the 5th week. The average honey yields were found to be 4.92±0.84, 4±0.78, 4.82±0.53 and 4.88±0.7 kg/colony, respectively. KEYWORDS: Honeybee, Apis mellifera, Hive type, Wooden Hive, Styrofoam Hive, Physiological Characteristics, Malatya