Rashtriya Krishi (English)

Mandeep Rathee ¹, R. C. Sihag ², Pradeep Kumar Dalal ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, College of Basic Sciences, C.C.S.Haryana Agricultural Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN
2 College of Basic Sciences, C.C.S.Haryana Agricultural Sciences, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

Beekeeping remains one of the profitable areas among agriculturists, commercial beekeepers and farmers, and is being exploited to its full potential to increase their income. Among several limiting factors, honeybee enemies pose a major threat to this enterprise. Wax moths and wasps cause immense losses to beekeepers throughout the country, therefore, got maximum attention by the researchers. In addition, birds are also known to attack honey bees. Various species of birds predate on honeybees and their attack is pronounced during dearth period and cloudy conditions. Major predatory birds (Class: Aves) of honeybees are Merops apiaster (European bee-eater), Merops orientalis (small green bee-eater) Merops leschenaultia (chestnut headed bee-eater) Merops persicus (blue cheeked bee-eater), Merops philippinus (blue tailed bee-eater), Indicator indicator, Indicator xanthonotus and Indicator varigatus (honey guides). Minor birds are Picus viridis (Green woodpecker), Picoides major (Great spotted or variegated woodpecker), Parus major major (common great tit), Parus caeruleus (blue tit), Passer domesticus (house sparrow), Dicrurus macrocerus, Dicrurus aster (drongo/ king crow). In the present chapter identification, nature of damage and management of predatory birds has been discussed.

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Mandeep Rathee ¹, Pradeep Kumar Dalal ¹, R. C. Sihag ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Entomology, College of Basic Sciences, C.C.S. Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), IN
2 College of Basic Sciences, C.C.S. Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar (Haryana), IN

Abstract

The foraging activity of honey bees depend on the availability of bee flora and the prevailing climatic conditions, and both of these are defined for a particular season round the year i.e. summer, monsoon, autumn, winter and spring. The period when surplus bee flora i.e. source of nectar and pollen, is available for the bees to forage is known as honey flow season. In contrast, dearth period is marked by scarcity of bee flora. During extreme climatic events like scorching summer, freezing winter and monsoon, certain specific management tactics are required to maintain and safeguard the colonies in an apiary. The main aim is to prevent the colonies from collapsing, strengthen them to perform better and make beekeeping a profitable business. Beekeepers can maintain high performance level of colonies in terms of honey and other hive products by adopting suitable seasonal management tactics and maximize production. So, the basic principles behind seasonal management are: Ensuring adequate population of foragers in the hive at the right time for the collection of surplus nectar and pollen, providing space for storage of floral rewards i.e. nectar and pollen and ripening of nectar into honey, extracting honey from hive at the right time and strengthening and preparing the colonies to withstand any period of dearth and menace of bee enemies.

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