Studies on Apis mellifera L. Colonies Performance at Hisar, Haryana, India

The regular observations of ten selected colonies of Apis mellifera L. were recorded at Research Apiary at 21 days interval from March, 2011 to February, 2013 for colony growth and development. The observed colony strength (i. e. number of active frames) per colony rangedfrom 5.1 (8 Aug, 2011) to 18.8 (15 Feb, 2012) and 1.3 (10 Aug, 2012) to 18.4 (27 Feb, 2013) during 2011–12 and 2012–13 periods of observations, respectively. The pattern of change in colony strength held true for brood area also, which showed 6123.5 cm²/hive on first day of study period and gradually declined to 1715.6 cm² on 8 Aug, 2011 during 2011–12. The studies on colony strength and stores recorded peak period of bee activity from start of December to the end of February, when both nectar and pollen were available in abundance.