A NEW DEVICE TO PROTECT HONEY BEES FROM THE PREDATORY WASPS AT THE HIVE ENTRANCE OF APIS MELLIFERA L. COLONIES
S. SRIVASTAVA *
HPKV BEE RESEARCH STATION, NAGROTA-BAGWAN, 176047, INDIA
ARUN KUMAR *
HPKV BEE RESEARCH STATION, NAGROTA-BAGWAN, 176047, INDIA.
N.P. KASHYAP *
DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY, H.P. KRISH VISHWAVIDIALAYA, PALAMPUR - 176062,INDIA
Y.S. CHANDEL *
HPKV BEE RESEARCH STATION, NAGROTA-BAGWAN, 176047, INDIA
DESH RAJ *
DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY, H.P. KRISH VISHWAVIDIALAYA, PALAMPUR - 176062,INDIA
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Predatory behaviour of Vespa viz. V. mandarinia Smith, V. velutina auraria Smith, V. tropica (Leefrnansi) Vecht, V. basalis Smith and V orientalis Linnaeus on the hive entrance of A. mellifera L. is described. V. mandarinia and V. velutina auraria causing serious damages to A. mellifera colonies took3.9±1.2 and 21.2 ±15.3 seconds to catchabee, respectively. The developed new device, 'Bee-Wasp Protector effectively protected bees from wasps' attack at the hive entrance.