Honey, Beeswax and Pollen Yields in Composite Colonies of Trigona Carbonaria (Stingless Honeybee) in the Southeastern Nigeria
Keywords:
Honey, Beeswax, Pollen, Trigona carbonaria, coloniesAbstract
This study assesses the honey, beeswax and pollen yields of colonies of a stingless honeybee species, namely Trigona carbonaria in Egbelu Uvuru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, Nigeria. Twenty-five colonies of Trigona carbonaria were randomly selected on the walls, doors and windows of a building. The honeycombs and pollen of each colony were collected separately. The honey was processed using dripping method that involved the use of muslin clothes. The weight of the honey, beeswax (residue) and pollen harvested from each colony were weighed and volume of honey determined. The result shows that there were variations in honey, beeswax and pollen weight and volume of the honey in the colonies. Colony 17 produces the highest quantity of honey while colony 11 produces the least quantity. Colony 17 produces the highest quantity of beeswax and colonies 1 and 9 produce the least quantity respectively. Colony 16 produces the highest quantity of pollen while colonies 4 and 18 produce the least quantity respectively. The average quantities of Trigona carbonaria colonies contents showed honey weight (g) forming 53%, beeswax 36% and pollen 11% in the pie-chart. Meliponiculture should be popularized and practised like apiculture by both the government institutions and individuals so as to ensure adequate production of Trigona carbonaria honey, beeswax and pollen production.
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