This paper presents designing and implementing adaptive data loggers to monitor temperature inside a honey bee hive. This system has an advantage to make shorter interval time to monitor temperature changes when the temperature dramatically varies. Otherwise, the system itself sets longer interval time to save a battery. So, in other words, it is interchangeable to all temperatures. This system was built with Arduino board, a realtime timer, and a microSD device and was proved that the system is fully functionable.

Characteristics of nest entrance architecture is useful for the study of defense mechanism in stingless bee colonies and the data regarding the nest entrance and defense mechanism were limited in the case of native stingless bee Tetragonula iridipennis (Smith). The studies were conducted in the beekeeping pockets of midland and upland physiographic regions of southern Kerala, India. Three types of nest entrance designs (round type, slit or elliptical and multiple entrance) were observed in T. iridipennis (Smith) colonies and the predominant design was slit like. Number of guard bees wasmore in midland (7.6) than upland (6.4). In the case of hive entrance width, maximum number of hive entrance tubes in both midland and upland was in the category of 1–2 cm. Stingless bees used bee wax, plant resins, dry leaves and vegetative parts, woodparticles, bee cadavers, sand and soil particles for construction of their nest entrance. Based on the level of aggressiveness the bees were categorized under the level 3, were numerous stingless bees fly out and only a few attack the intruders.

Environmental monitoring of the bee hive can provide information of diverse processes inside the dark place where social casts and individuals interact. Timely transmission of the information is requred for the proper management. Recent advances in wireless sensor networks enabled multiple-factor monitoring. This paper presents design and implementation of a cloud-based monitoring system with wireless network and an Internet of Thing (IoT) platform in order to realtime delivery of the field measured information to the user. This system could facilitate the implementation of the automated environmental monitoring with easy adaptability of visualizing on IoT system with geographical location on Google.

Propolis is a natural bee hive product with potential functional activities. Nowadays, many propolis products are available on the market, including cosmetics and food commodities. However, it is still unknown if edible products with propolis are fully accepted by consumers and are thus commercially viable, due to the bitter and resinous flavor and taste of propolis. This work is focused on the design of a “honey with propolis” foodstuff that can be welcomed by consumers, and, if possible, provide added benefits compared to the honey itself. Propolis tinctures containing three different concentrations of ethanol and times of maceration were prepared, giving the best results with 90% ethanol and two days of maceration. Then, in order to study the maximum amount of propolis in honey that could be accepted by a representative group of consumers, a forced choice paired comparison preference test with 69 people was carried out, giving the best results with a honey product containing 0.3-0.5% propolis extract. Phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as TEAC antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of propolis, honey, and the product “honey with propolis” were then analyzed. As expected, propolis showed the highest phenolics and flavonoids contents, as well as the highest antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The product “honey with propolis” showed a significantly higher antimicrobial activity, however, when compared to honey alone. In conclusion, the commercialization of a food product of “honey and up to 0.5% propolis” is promising, interesting and viable, as such a product is greatly appreciated by consumers, as well as being potentially healthy.

This theis was conducted in the sector of Chivatos, in the Canton of Olmedo in order to evaluate the effect of artificial feeding with brown sugar and sugar syrup on population trends of the Apis mellifera and on its honey production. Three treatments with five hives were conducted to evaluate each treatment. The hives were Langstroth standard types and Shalom style side bars identified with the letters T and C according to treatment and beehive number respectively, T0 for the control group, T1 for the supplement with sugar syrup, T2 for brown sugar supplement. A completely random experimental design was used and INFOSAT statistical software (version 2012) was employed to conduct variance analysis and comparison means test (Tukey). The variables evaluated were: colony size supported by: the number of Frames with Abundant Bees (FAB), Brood Frames (BF), Presence of Queen (PQ) and Honey Reserves (HR) and Pollen Reserves (PR); and the second variable was the feed intake per hive (Lt kg brown sugar and sugar syrup), honey production (HP / Lt) and profitability of treatments. There were significant findings (P <0.05) for the sugar syrup supplement over the size of the hive with respect to the FAB of T1 over T2 and T0. With respect to the BF there was a numerical difference between T1 and T2 but compared to T0 it was highly significant (P <0.05); and with respect to the HP, T1 demonstrated the highest production with a total of 71 Lt, followed by T2 with 61 Lt and T0 with 30 Lt. Based on these results, it was therefore concluded that the sugar syrup (T1 ) together with proper management, was indeed recommended to feed to the bees during the critical period and as a stimulant for the development of the colony, thus obtaining better production during nectar flow. T1 produced 69.6% profitability ratio in comparison to T2 which achieved 59.6% and T0 with a return of 34.5%. Keywords: Queen, Breeding, Colony, Feeding, Management | Con el objetivo de evaluar el efecto de la alimentación artificial con panela y jarabe de azúcar en la evolución de la población Apis mellifera para la producción de miel, se realizó la presente investigación que se ubicó en el sector de Chivatos, cantón Olmedo; se realizaron tres tratamientos con 5 colmenas a evaluar por cada tratamiento, las colmenas Tipo Langstroth estándar y una alza tipo Shalom que se identificó con las letras T y C de acuerdo al tratamiento y número de colmena respectivamente, T0 para el Grupo testigo, T1 para suplementación con jarabe de azúcar y T2 para suplementación con panela. El diseño experimental fue completamente al azar, con análisis de varianza y comparación de medias (Tukey) se utilizó el programa estadístico InfoSat (Versión 2012). Las variables evaluadas fueron: tamaño de la colonia apoyado en: el Número de Marcos con Abundantes Abejas (MAA), los Marcos con Crías (MCC), Presencia de Reina (PR) y Reservas de Miel (RM) y Reservas de Polen (RP); como segunda variable fue el consumo de alimento por colmena (Kg de panela y Lt de jarabe de azúcar), la Producción de Miel (PM/Lt) y la Rentabilidad de Tratamientos. Encontrándose efecto significativo (P<0.05) por el factor alimentación con jarabe de azúcar sobre el tamaño de la colmena en cuanto a MAA del T1 sobre T2 y T0, para los MCC existe una diferencia numérica entre T1 y T2 pero en comparación con T0 existe efecto altamente significativo (P<0.05); y, en referencia a la PM el T1 alcanzó la mayor producción con un total de 71 Lt. seguido del T2 con 61 Lt. y el T0 con 30 Lt. En base a los resultados obtenidos, se concluye que el jarabe de azúcar (T1) junto con un manejo apropiado, es recomendable para la alimentación de las abejas durante el periodo crítico y como estimulante para el desarrollo de la colonia, obteniendo una mejor producción en las épocas de flujo de néctar. La rentabilidad se obtuvo en el T1 un 69.6 % en relación al T2 que fue de 59.6 % y el T0 con una rentabilidad de 34,5 %. Palabras clave: Reina, Cría, Colonia, Alimentación, Manejo.

As riquezas naturais de São Tomé e Príncipe, tais como a flora diversificada, o clima e a abundância de água, associadas à eficiência das abelhas locais, permite pensar na apicultura como uma aposta promissora para o país, uma vez que, associada à preservação do ecossistema, constitui uma excelente oportunidade de negócio e fonte de rendimento para as comunidades locais. A apicultura, baseada na gestão sustentável de abelhas Apis mellifera, para além de permitir extrair o mel, a própolis, o pólen, a geleia real, a cera, entre outros produtos da colmeia, é uma atividade do agronegócio que requer um baixo investimento inicial, potenciando a geração de emprego e rendimento, o que permite a manutenção das famílias no seu meio e ainda pode despertar a consciência ambiental, convertendo os apicultores em defensores da natureza. Nesse sentido, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo identificar, analisar e descrever toda a atividade em São Tomé e Príncipe associada com a exploração das abelhas e dos seus produtos, com vista à apresentação de linhas orientadoras para desenvolvimento da apicultura no país. Para isso, foram realizadas entrevistas diretas a apicultores e “caçadores de mel”, bem como visitas de acompanhamento na caça e exploração de colmeias e em todo o processo de produção do mel. Adicionalmente, foi realizada uma recolha de uma amostra de mel para avaliação dos seus parâmetros de qualidade, com o apoio dos laboratórios da Escola Agrária de Bragança. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que atualmente a atividade apícola no país é insignificante e exercida pontualmente por apenas três apicultores. Em contrapartida, é bem mais evidente a exploração de enxames selvagens na floresta pelos “caçadores de mel”, praticada de forma rudimentar sem recurso a equipamentos adequados, tanto na exploração das abelhas como no manuseamento dos produtos, colocando em causa a vida do apicultor e a segurança alimentar. Esta atividade vem demonstrando uma atratividade crescente devido aos rendimentos obtidos na exploração do mel e também da cera, no entanto, a forma como é realizada provoca elevados danos nos ecossistemas através da destruição dos enxames e mesmo pela queima das árvores para a recolha dos favos. A qualidade do mel obtido, considerando as condições de extração aplicadas, apresenta globalmente um espetro positivo, verificando-se, no entanto, a necessidade de reduzir os níveis de humidade, hidroximetilfurfural e matéria insolúvel, o que facilmente será atingido pela aplicação de equipamentos e metodologias adequadas. Para reverter o quadro atual e potencializar a apicultura, sugere-se a criação de campanhas de sensibilização sobre a importância das abelhas para a biodiversidade e a manutenção dos ecossistemas naturais e agrícolas, sobre a importância da gestão de abelhas em detrimento da caça de enxames selvagens, além da realização de cursos sobre as técnicas de maneio das abelhas e produção de mel, os quais poderão ser organizados por instituições de ensino vocacionadas para a agricultura. Adicionalmente, será importante criar políticas de incentivo à produção e comercialização, promovendo a organização dos apicultores em cooperativas e investindo em equipamentos que garantam a obtenção de produtos de qualidade. | The natural richness of São Tomé e Príncipe, such as the diversity of flora , weather and water abundancy, associated with the presence of local bees, points beekeeping as a promising bet for the country rural development, since, associated with the preservation of ecosystem, beekeeping is an excellent business opportunity for local communities. Beekeeping, based on the sustainable management of Apis mellifera bees, besides the production of honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, and other hive products, is an agribusiness activity that requires a small initial investment, enhancing employment and income, which allows the maintenance of the families in their ambiance and can still raise environmental awareness, converting beekeepers in nature defenders. In this way, the present work aims to identify, describe and analyse all the activities in São Tomé e Príncipe linked with the exploitation of bees and their products, in order to propose a strategic plan for beekeeping development in the country. The work was supported in interviews to beekeepers and honey hunters, and through monitoring the practices of hunting and exploitation of hives, all across the process of honey production. In addition, one honey sample was collected for assessment of their quality parameters, with the aim of the laboratory facilities of the Agricultural School of Bragança. The results shown that, on the present moment, the beekeeping activity in the country is insignificant and sporadically performed by three beekeepers. On the other hand, the exploitation of wild swarms in the forest by the "honey hunters" is much more evident, practiced in a rudimentary way without the use of appropriate equipment, both for bee management and in the handling of products, threatening the life of the beekeeper and compromising food security. This activity has shown a growing attractiveness due to the profits made from selling honey and wax, however, the way it is performed causes significant damage to the ecosystems by destroying swarms and even burning of trees to reach the honey combs. Considering the extraction conditions applied, the quality of the honey produced by the “honey hunters” proved to be fairly positive, however, it requires an improvement in the moisture and hydroxymethylfurfural levels, as well as in the insoluble matter, which is easily achieved by the use of appropriate extraction equipment and methodologies. To reverse the current situation and enhance beekeeping in the country, it is necessary to design awareness campaigns on the importance of bees for biodiversity and maintenance of natural and farming ecosystems, on the importance of bee management in spite of hunting, besides the preparation of courses on bee management tools and honey production, which could be given by already established educational institutions devoted to agriculture teaching. Additionally, it will be important to implement new policies to promote production and marketing of honey, as well as to organize beekeepers and/or honey hunters in cooperatives, providing investments in beekeeping materials and equipment’s that ensure to obtain high quality products.