1Department of Entomology, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, Uttrakhand, India.
2Biosciences & Education Campus, Inderprastha Engineering College, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, U.P., India.
*Corresponding author's address: Associate Professor, College of Forestry and Hill Agriculture, G. B. Pant University of Agri. & Tech. Hill Campus, Ranichauri-249 199, Uttrakhand, India.
Study on the influence of seasonal variations on brood development in four colonies of Apis mellifera with different but fixed number of frames during different seasons revealed that maximum brood area, in 4, 6, 8 and 10-frame beehive, was recorded between winter to spring season (19 Feb. to 14 Apr.) while minimum was recorded between early rainy to early autumn season (9 Jul. to 19 Aug.). Winter and spring season found to be most excellent time for brood production due to presence of optimum weather conditions and bee flora compared to rainy or autumn season. Development of brood area was found to be negatively correlated with temperatures (both maximum and minimum), relative humidity (both maximum and minimum) and rainfall during both the years. Significant positive correlation subsisted with bright sunshine hours.
