Effect of colony-wide physiological state on honey bee (Apis mellifera) pollination efficiency

Monday, November 11, 2024

8:24 AM – 8:36 AM MST

Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 132 A, PCC

Presenting Author(s)

EJ

Erin Jones

WTAMU
Canyon, Texas

Co-Author(s)

Juliana Rangel

Professor of Apiculture
Texas A&M University
College Station, Texas
AM

Ashley Mortensen

The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited
Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
JS

James Sainsbury

The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited
Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand

In an effort to find the most effect of colony-wide physiological state on honey bee pollination efficacy, we designed a study to discover the point in a hive’s development when the bees are most efficient at pollination. In this study, we manipulated honey bee colonies into a swarm state be better understand swarm colony physiology and behavior. This will enable us to perform a detailed evaluation of a newly founded colony's foraging preferences, foraging rate, and the proportion of the colony's workforce that is devoted to foraging compared with traditionally managed colonies.