INFLUENCE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS ON HONEY BEE VISITS (Apis mellifera carnica) DURING SUNFLOWER (Helianthus annuus L.) BLOOMING PERIOD

• Main Authors: Z. Puškadija, Edita Štefanić, A. Mijić, Z. Zdunić, Nada Parađiković, T. Florijančić, A. Opačak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Agrobitechnical Sciences Osijek 2007-06-01
• Series: Poljoprivreda
• Subjects: honey bee; sunflower; visit; weather conditions
• Online Access: http://poljoprivreda.pfos.hr/upload/publications/50_PUSKADIJA.pdf

The objective of the investigation was to determine influence of weather conditions on activity of honey bees during blooming time of six sunflower hybrids. The investigation was carried out in 2002 growing season at Kneževi Vinogradi located in Baranja county, north-eastern edge of Croatia. Honey bees communities were moved to the field trial site inside Langstroth-Rooth's bee-hives. Honey bees visiting sunflower head inflorescence was measured at 100, 200, and 300 meters by counting honey bees four times a day (9.00 am, 11.00 am, 1.00 pm, and 5.00 pm). The influence of weather conditions was analysed by Spearman correlation coefficient. Results of the investigation show significant differences regarding honey-bee visit to the head inflorescences in six hybrids, as well as significant influence of air temperature, humidity, precipitation, minimum and maximum air temperature, as well as wind strength.