Determination of Bee Space and Cell Dimensions for Jimma Zone Honeybee Eco-Races (Apis malifera), Southwest Ethiopian

Abstract

The study was conducted from September 2012 to April 2015 at Jimma zone, Oromia regional state, southwest Ethiopia. For this study three trail sites that represent three agro-ecology (highland midland and lowland) areas were selected purposively. Objective of the study was to determine appropriate bee space and cell dimensions for honey bee races found in Jimma zone, southwest Ethiopia. The natural bee space and comb cell dimensions of the local honey bee eco-type races were measured in the traditional hives. Bee space is a path or corridor bees need to move between the combs and around the nest in the wild. It is vital to allow bees walk freely on the comb. Bee space was significant along the agro-ecology of the study areas p<0.05. The mean bee space of lowland is greater than both midland and highland agro-ecologies. From this result we suggest that higher temperature might have forced the honey bee colonies to leave more space to avoid overcrowding at warm areas.

Keywords: bee space, cell dimension, comb, honey bees, traditional hive