I

ANNO 1 Numero 2
Alberto Satta, Ignazio Floris [1]

Effects of the cork on the thermal insulation and the thermoregulation of beehive

[1] Dipartimento di Protezione delle Piante – Sezione di Entomologia agraria, Università di Sassari

A trial was carried out on the use of cork as a thermal insulator of beehives. Its effects on thermoregulation, development and productivity of Apis mellifera L. colonies in Northern Sardinia (Italy) were studied. Beehives were modified by placing a 1 cm-thick panel of pressed cork on the internal walls and on the inner cover. Traditional Dadant Blatt beehives entirely made of fir wood were used as control. Climatic (especially nest internal temperature), and colony development and productivity parameters (sealed brood area, amount of honey and pollen in the nest combs, honey production in the comb honey super) were evaluated. The monitored daily thermometric pattern of the cork-modified beehives was more regular than that of controls (1.6 °C vs. 2.8 °C of daily variation in the nest, respectively). In addition, bees had a more efficient winter thermoregulation in beehives made of both cork and fir wood than in those made of fir wood only, showing a reduction in winter honey consumption of about 36% (3.5 Kg honey/hive). Colony development and productivity factors of modified and control beehives were not significantly different from each other..

Contact:albsatta@uniss.it