Apiculture
Source - HOW TO GET STARTED Keeping Bees for the Absolute Beginner
Honey bees are fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in our ecosystem. Not only do they produce honey, a valuable food source, but they are also responsible for pollinating a wide variety of crops, contributing significantly to global food security. Understanding the intricacies of bee behavior and the challenges faced by beekeepers is essential for developing an intelligent beehive monitoring system like IntelliBee.
Source - The Complete Bee life Cycle
Honey bees undergo a complete metamorphosis, progressing through four distinct stages:
- Egg - The queen lays a single egg in each cell of the honeycomb.
- Larva - The egg hatches into a larva, a white, grub-like creature that is fed by worker bees.
- Pupa - After several molts, the larva spins a cocoon and enters the pupal stage. Inside the cocoon, it undergoes a remarkable transformation.
- Adult - The adult bee emerges from the pupa, ready to fulfill its role within the colony.
The duration of each stage varies depending on the caste of the bee: queen, worker, or drone.
Source - HOW TO GET STARTED Keeping Bees for the Absolute Beginner
A honey bee colony comprises three distinct castes, each with specific roles:
- Queen - The only fertile female in the colony, responsible for laying eggs. Her pheromones regulate colony unity and behavior.
- Worker - Sterile females that perform all hive tasks, including cleaning, feeding larvae, guarding the hive, foraging for nectar and pollen, and producing honey.
- Drone - Male bees whose sole purpose is to mate with a virgin queen.
Sri Lanka is home to several honey bee species:
- Apis cerana indica (Indian honey bee මී මැස්සා) - The most common species, known for its economic value and suitability for cultivation in beehive boxes.
- Apis dorsata (Giant honey bee බඹරා) - Aggressive and difficult to cultivate due to their large, open nests.
- Trigona iridipennis (Dammar bee කණ මියා) - A stingless bee species valued for its medicinal honey. However, cultivation in boxes is challenging due to their small nest size.
Beekeeping in Sri Lanka exists at various levels:
- Traditional - Honey hunting and primitive methods using clay pots.
- Hobbyist - Small-scale beekeeping for personal consumption or limited sale.
- State-aided - Government programs promoting beekeeping through training and resource provision.
- Emerging private sector - Growing trend of commercial beekeeping and cottage industries focusing on value-added products.
Bee Development Unit - Bidunuwewa
Beekeeping offers significant economic potential for Sri Lanka:
- Honey production - A valuable food source and export commodity.
- Pollination services - Vital for agricultural productivity, especially for fruits, vegetables, and spices.
- Value-added products - Opportunities for developing products like beeswax, bee pollen, and honey-infused goods.
- Bee tourism - Attracting tourists interested in learning about beekeeping practices and honey production.
Exports and Market Value of natural honey in recent years
Source - World Bank (WITS)
Source - Market Value Bee Honey - Sri Lanka
