Bee colony weight dynamics during passive wintering period
¹Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies, Institute of computer systems and data science, Liela street 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
²Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Institute of Plant Protection Research “Agrihorts”, Paula Lejina street 2, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
³Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Technology, Institute of Soil and Plant Sciences, Strazdu iela 1, LV-3001 Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: aleksejs.zacepins@lbtu.lv
Abstract:
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are essential for maintaining ecological balance and enhancing agricultural productivity through their pollination services. Gaining insight into the internal conditions of a honeybee colony is crucial for evaluating its health, productivity, and seasonal dynamics. In the northern countries bee colony activity is divided into two periods: active summer and winter passive periods. Monitoring the weight of honey bee colonies provides valuable insight into their physiological status, food consumption, and survival potential during wintering. This study investigates the weight dynamics of bee colonies throughout the passive wintering period, aiming to better understand colony metabolism and resource utilization under low-activity conditions. Continuous weight measurements were recorded using electronic hive scales. The data were analysed to assess temporal trends in colony mass loss and to identify environmental or management factors influencing these changes. Results showed a gradual decrease in hive weight corresponding to the consumption of stored honey, with the rate of loss varying in response to external temperature fluctuations and colony strength. These findings contribute to improving winter management practices by providing quantitative parameters of weight consumption for assessing colony health and predicting overwintering success.
Key words:
bee colony weight dynamics, honeybee colony monitoring, passive wintering period, precision apiculture, Precision beekeeping