Resumen La identificación de flora melífera (FM) en las áreas donde se establecen apiarios es necesaria para los apicultores, debido a que las abejas (Apis mellifera) dependen de estos recursos florales para su alimentación y producción de miel. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar los aspectos socio-ecológicos de la apicultura, considerando los conocimientos de la flora melífera de los productores en la Costa Chica de Guerrero (CCG), México. Se realizó un muestreo no probabilístico por conveniencia. La muestra final fue de 75 apicultores encuestados. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizó estadística descriptiva y tablas cruzadas; se realizaron recolectas botánicas para identificar las especies citadas. La apicultura es tradicional (5-50 colmenas), la edad promedio fue 48 años, con 10 años de escolaridad y 12 años de experiencia. Los productores mencionaron 33 especies de FM (26 nativas y siete cultivadas), pertenecientes a 16 familias botánicas. Además, por su uso, las clasificaron en nectapoliníferas (14 especies), poliníferas (10) y nectaríferas (9). Se registró que las especies nativas florecen durante el invierno (herbáceas) y primavera (árboles), lo que coincide con la época de cosecha de miel, mientras que las especies cultivadas florecen en épocas de lluvias (verano) y son un recurso importante en épocas de postcosecha. Los apicultores de la CCG registraron bajo conocimiento de la vegetación circundante a sus apiarios, pero tienen un alto conocimiento de las principales especies de FM, encontrándose que, a mayor edad, mayor conocimiento sobre las especies de FM que las abejas utilizan en su alimentación (néctar o polen).

Abstract Beekeepers need to identify melliferous flora (MF) in those areas where apiaries are established because bees (Apis mellifera) depend on these floral resources for food and honey production. The objective of the study was to analyze the socio-ecological aspects of beekeeping, considering the knowledge of the melliferous flora by the producers in the Costa Chica region of Guerrero (GCC), Mexico. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling was carried out. The final sample consisted of 75 surveyed beekeepers. Descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations were used for data analysis; botanical collections were made to identify the species cited. Beekeeping is traditional (5-50 hives), the average age was 48 yr, with 10 years of schooling and 12 yr of experience. Producers mentioned 33 MF species (26 native and seven cultivated) belonging to 16 botanical families. In addition, they classified them by their use as nectapolliniferous (14 species), polliniferous (10), and nectariferous (9). It was recorded that native species flower during the winter (herbaceous) and spring (trees), coinciding with the honey harvest season, while cultivated species flower during the rainy season (summer) and are an important resource during the post-harvest season. GCC beekeepers registered low knowledge of the vegetation surrounding their apiaries, but have a high knowledge of the main MF species, finding that the older they are, the more knowledge they have about the MF species that bees use in their food (nectar or pollen).

Resumen Un apicultor debe inspeccionar (destapar) las colmenas Langstroth cada 15 días para conocer el nivel de producción de miel y de alimentación de las abejas, generando una alteración en el confort térmico de las abejas, sobresfuerzos ergonómicos con el levantamiento de pesos superiores a 13 kilogramos y posturas inadecuadas por la altura y el tamaño de agarres de la colmena. Debido a esto, el objetivo del proyecto fue diseñar y fabricar una colmena instrumentada que permita conocer las condiciones internas de la producción y la alimentación sin tener que manipularla directamente. Se identificaron necesidades funcionales de los apicultores a través de entrevistas y encuestas y se realizó un análisis ergonómico mediante el método de valoración rápida del cuerpo completo (REBA) por medio de videos en campo, lo cual permitió generar, evaluar y seleccionar propuestas de diseño; se realizó el diseño, la construcción y la instrumentación de la colmena y se evaluó su funcionalidad en campo. Además, se definió un diseño hexagonal modular que evita levantar secciones de la colmena para su inspección, donde los registros generados por los sensores evidencian que el diseño de la colmena mantiene la temperatura promedio interna de 35 °C por más tiempo. Con el diseño de colmena propuesto, se disminuyen significativamente los esfuerzos que los apicultores deben realizar durante la inspección de las colmenas, se conserva la temperatura de confort de las abejas y la instrumentación permite un monitoreo de la producción de los productos apícolas.

Abstract A beekeeper must inspect (uncover) the Langstroth hives every 15 days to know the level of honey production and feeding of the bees, generating an alteration in the thermal comfort of the bees and ergonomic over-efforts with the lifting of bees. weights greater than 13 kilograms, inadequate postures due to height and the size of the hive's grips. Therefore, the goal of this study was to design and manufacture an instrumented hive that allows knowing the internal conditions of production and feeding without having to manipulate it directly. Functional needs of beekeepers were identified through interviews and surveys, ergonomic analysis was carried out using the Rapid WholeBody Assessment Method (REBA) and through videos in the field, which allowed the generation, evaluation and selection of design proposals; the design, construction and instrumentation of the hive was carried out and its functionality was evaluated in the field. A modular hexagonal design was defined that avoids lifting sections of the hive for inspection, the records generated by the sensors show that the hive design maintains the average internal temperature of 35°C for longer time. The efforts that beekeepers must make during the inspection of the hives are significantly reduced with the proposed hive design, while preserving the comfort temperature of the bees, and the instrumentation allows monitoring the production of bee products.

RESUMO Os levantamentos florísticos possibilitam ao apicultor determinar a época de permanência de colmeias em determinado local por meio da determinação das floradas. Objetivou-se realizar o levantamento florístico de remanescentes de mata nativa da região e de áreas de recuperação florestal para fins de conservação e produção, com o intuito de auxiliar os apicultores locais a definirem estratégias de exploração racional e de conservação dos remanescentes florestais e áreas de reflorestamento do Oeste paranaense. O levantamento das plantas foi realizado nas Estações Experimentais (EE) de Entre Rios do Oeste (ERO) e de Marechal Cândido Rondon (MCR), ambas vinculadas à Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (Unioeste) e no Refúgio Biológico de Santa Helena (RB-SH), que é uma Área de Relevante Interesse Ecológico (ARIE). Nas EE da Unioeste, MCR e ERO, foi delimitada, para cada ponto, uma área de 20 metros x 5 metros, pelo método de parcelas de áreas fixas retangulares e realizada a coleta de cada espécie em fase reprodutiva. Para mapeamento das áreas de coleta de plantas, foram georreferenciados quatro pontos em cada estação. As coletas foram quinzenais e mensais de dezembro de 2017 a novembro de 2019. No RB-SH, o método utilizado foi o de caminhamento nas trilhas ecológicas pré-existentes no local e o levantamento foi realizado por meio de coletas quinzenais de amostras botânicas em fase reprodutiva entre os meses de agosto de 2017 a junho de 2018. Foram coletadas 173 plantas, das quais 121 foram identificadas, sendo 103 em nível de espécie, nove em nível de gênero e nove em nível de família, pertencentes a 41 famílias botânicas. O índice de Shannon-Wiener (H’) geral foi de 3,15 nats indivíduo-1, sendo os valores encontrados de 2,30 nats indivíduo-1 em MCR; 2,94 nats indivíduo-1 em ERO e 4,22 nats indivíduo-1 no RB-SH. Com relação aos índices de similaridade, o menor valor foi observado entre as áreas amostradas de RB-SH e MCR e o maior entre ERO e RB-SH. Conclui-se que as famílias botânicas Poaceae e Myrtaceae foram representativas nos méis analisados, sendo identificados nas amostras de mel de Apis mellifera os tipos polínicos Myrceugenia euosma, Urochloa arrecta, Triticum aestivum, Albizia niopoides, Avena sativa e Eugenia uniflora.

ABSTRACT Floristic surveys make it possible for the beekeeper to determine the time of permanence of hives in a given location by determining the flowering. The objective was to carry out the floristic survey of remnants of a native forest in the region and areas of forest recovery for the purposes of conservation and production, in order to assist local beekeepers to define strategies for rational exploration and conservation of forest remnants and reforestation areas from western Paraná state. The plant surveys were carried out at the Experimental Stations (EE) of Entre Rios do Oeste (ERO) and Marechal Cândido Rondon (MCR), both linked to the State University of Western Paraná (Unioeste) and at the Biological Refuge of Santa Helena (RB-SH), which is an Area of Relevant Ecological Interest (ARIE). At the EE of Unioeste, MCR and ERO, an area of 20 meters x 5 meters was delimited for each point, by the method of plots of fixed rectangular areas, and the collection of each species in the reproductive phase was carried out. To map plant collection areas, four points were georeferenced in each season. The collections were biweekly and monthly from December 2017 to November 2019. At RB-SH the method used was to walk the pre-existing ecological trails at the site and the survey was carried out by means of biweekly collections of botanical samples in the reproductive phase, between August 2017 and June 2018. One hundred and seventy-three (173) plants were collected, 121 of which were identified, 103 at the species level, nine at the genus level and nine at the family level, belonging to 41 botanical families. The general Shannon-Wiener index (H’) was 3.15 nats individual-1, with the values found being 2.30 nats individual-1 in MCR; 2.94 nats individual-1 in ERO and 4.22 nats individual-1 in RB-SH. Regarding similarity indices, the lowest value was observed between the sampled areas of RB-SH and MCR and the highest between ERO and RB-SH. It is concluded that the botanical families Poaceae and Myrtaceae, were representative in the analyzed honeys, being identified in the honey samples of Apis mellifera the pollen types Myrceugenia euosma, Urochloa arrecta, Triticum aestivum, Albizia niopoides, Avena sativa and Eugenia uniflora.

Abstract Artist and beekeeper Anne Marie Maes, fascinated by bees for more than two decades, deals with the close interaction and coevolution between these insects and urban ecosystems through artistic research practices and in collaboration with scientists and engineers. Her projects involve complex relationships between living organisms and objects manufactured with biotechnology within the «postdigital paradigm», in a world where technology is completely intertwined with all facets of our existence.

Resum L’artista i apicultora AnneMarie Maes, fascinada per les abelles des de fa més de dues dècades, tracta l’estreta interacció i coevolució entre aquests insectes i els ecosistemes urbans, mitjançant pràctiques d’investigació artística, en col·laboració amb científics i enginyers. Els seus projectes porten implícites complexes relacions entre organismes vius i objectes manufacturats amb biotecnologia dins del «paradigma postdigital», en un món on la tecnologia està completament entrellaçada amb totes les facetes de la nostra existència.

Abstract Various notes of electronic portals, documentaries and to a lesser extent scientific articles have reported interest in improving the production yield of honey by beehive. Among these works, climatic, social and technological factors can be reported in their dimensional form, where experts and specialists recognize that they contribute to improving honey production. Supported by apicultural experts, the Delphi method and the MICMAC structural analysis, this article reports the influence and dependence of 22 variables and their direct and indirect relationship with honey production in the intermunicipal region of Misantla of the apicultural district no. 52. Variables based on MICMAC are classified as key, regulatory, lever and autonomous. On a strategic level, the ‘location of the apiary’ related to the ‘diversity of honey flowering’ and the ‘time between the placement of the apiary and the honey harvest’, represent the key variables with the highest strategic value of 75/79, 61/79 and 63/79, respectively. Although the ‘flowering of honey species’ is a key variable for honey production, the result also indicates that this variable is not a determinant for the beekeeper to decide the ‘location of apiaries’. These results provide knowledge in four categories of influential variables in honey production so that the beekeeper reflects on his beekeeping practices and can design strategies and make decisions, to improve honey production yield.

Resumen Diversas notas de portales electrónicos, documentales y en menor grado artículos de corte científico, han reportado el interés por mejorar el rendimiento de producción de miel por colmena. Entre estos trabajos pueden encontrarse reportados, en su forma dimensional, factores climáticos, sociales y tecnológicos, en donde expertos y especialistas reconocen que contribuyen a mejorar la producción de miel. Apoyado de expertos apícolas, del método Delphi y el análisis estructural MICMAC, en este artículo se reporta la influencia y dependencia de 22 variables y su relación directa e indirecta con la producción de miel en la región intermunicipal de Misantla del distrito apícola núm. 52. Las variables con base en MICMAC se clasifican en clave, reguladoras, palanca y autónomas. En el plano estratégico, la ‘ubicación del apiario’ relacionado con la ‘diversidad de floración melífera’ y el ‘tiempo que transcurre entre la colocación del apiario y la cosecha de miel’, representan las variables clave con mayor valor estratégico de 75/79, 61/79 y 63/79, respectivamente. Si bien, la ‘floración de especies melíferas’ es una variable clave para producción de miel, el resultado también indica que esta variable no es una determinante para que el apicultor decida la ‘ubicación de apiarios’. Estos resultados aportan conocimiento en cuatro categorías de variables influyentes en la producción de miel para que el apicultor reflexione sobre sus practica apícolas y pueda diseñar estrategias y tomar decisiones, para mejorar el rendimiento de producción miel.

Abstract: The state of Campeche is one of the leading producers of bee honey in Mexico. In 2014 a production of seven thousand tons of honey was recorded with a value of more than two hundred twenty-five million pesos, about seventeen million dollars. The aim of this paper is to socially and economically characterize bee honey production in the north of the state of Campeche, Mexico with data about education, land tenure, organization, costs, income, and profitability. The bee honey producers are ejidatarios, older than fifty years of age, and have low levels of education: more than 75 % have not finished junior high school. Furthermore, it was found that beekeeper production costs were more than eighty-two thousand pesos, of which 78% were for variable costs, mainly costs for paying for sugar, apistan (Apistan® Anti-Varroa Strips) and labor; about 22% correspond to fixed costs, basically made up of the depreciation of fixed costs. The average income obtained was higher than one hundred seventy thousand pesos, with a benefit-cost ratio of about two. Therefore, the producers in the north of the state of Campeche are efficient and profitable in producing bee honey.

Resumen: El estado de Campeche es uno de los principales productores de miel de abeja en México, en el año 2014 registró una producción de más de siete mil toneladas de miel, con un valor mayor a doscientos veinticinco millones de pesos, alrededor de diecisiete millones de dólares. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar la caracterización social y económica de la producción de miel de abeja en el Norte del estado de Campeche, México, con indicadores de educación, tenencia, organización, costos, ingresos y rentabilidad. Los productores de miel de abeja son ejidatarios, mayores de cincuenta años y tienen bajos niveles de educación, más del 75 % no tienen secundaria concluida. Por otro lado, se obtuvo que los costos de producción de los apicultores fueron mayores de ochenta y dos mil pesos, el 78 % representa a los costos variables, principalmente gastos por la compra de azúcar, apistán y mano de obra; y alrededor del 22 % corresponde a los costos fijos, conformado básicamente por la depreciación de los activos fijos. El ingreso promedio obtenido fue mayor a ciento sesenta mil pesos, generando una relación beneficio costo de alrededor de dos, por lo que los productores del Norte del estado de Campeche son eficientes y rentables en la producción de miel de abeja.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of managerial capacity on the economic viability of beekeeping production units in La Pampa (Argentina). Eighty (80) production units were selected by means of simple random sampling. Direct interviews with the beekeeper gave information during the period 2011-2013. It was analysed 26 variables related to managerial capacity, farm features and social aspects of the beekeeper. The production units were divided into viable or unviable regarding their ability to generate profits. A logistic regression model determined variables related to the viability of the farms and their functioning. Results showed the average dimension of the production units does not reach optimum levels to improve the economic viability. There was a low level of performance of managerial capacity, with a considerable effect of the decision-making process based on economic information (OR= 8.063) and farming records (OR= 6.990) on the economic performance.

Resumen: El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el efecto de la capacidad gerencial sobre la viabilidad económica de las unidades de producción apícola en La Pampa (Argentina). Mediante un muestreo aleatorio simple se seleccionaron 80 unidades productivas. La información se obtuvo durante el periodo 2011-2013, mediante entrevistas directas con el apicultor. Se analizaron 26 variables relacionadas con la capacidad gerencial, características de la unidad de producción y aspectos sociales del apicultor. Las empresas apícolas fueron clasificadas como viables o inviables de acuerdo a su capacidad para generar beneficios. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística para determinar y cuantificar las variables que expliquen la viabilidad económica. Los resultados mostraron que la dimensión promedio de las unidades productivas no alcanza niveles óptimos para favorecer la viabilidad de la actividad. Se evidenció un bajo nivel en la capacidad de la función gerencial, con un considerable efecto del proceso de toma de decisiones basado en información económica (OR= 8.063) e interna de la unidad de producción (OR= 6.990) sobre el rendimiento de la actividad.

Abstract: The objective of this study was to characterize the types of beekeepers in the state of Morelos, México, based on the use of technology components (TC), and socioeconomic and productive factors in order to generate information to design recommendations to support beekeeping. A questionnaire was designed and applied to a sample of 116 beekeeping units, socioeconomic data and information about TC for colony management, genetics, nutrition and health were obtained, from these information 18 original variables, and 6 technological index were defined and used to stratify the beekeeping productive units (BPU) applying multivariate methods using principal component and cluster analyses. To characterize and compare the resulting beekeeper groups an analysis of variance under a completely random model for continuous variables and a homogeneity test for categorical variables were performed to detect differences between groups. Four factors were detected that explain 70 % of the variance, and because of the factorial load of the variables analyzed, the factors were named as: 1) Productive capacity of the BPU, 2) Health status of the BPU, 3) Beekeeper capacities and 4) Management of the BPU. Three types of beekeepers were identified; small beekeepers with low technological level (55 %), large beekeepers with intermediate technological level (9 %) and medium beekeepers with intermediate technological level (35 %). The typology obtained may be useful to generate differentiated public policies to increase the use of technological innovations to improve the efficiency and productivity of the beekeeping units.

Resumen: El objetivo fue caracterizar los tipos de productores apícolas que existen en el estado de Morelos, México con base al uso de componentes tecnológicos (CT) y de factores sociales, económicos y productivos, con el fin de generar información para el diseño de recomendaciones de apoyo a la apicultura. Se diseñó y aplicó un cuestionario a una muestra de 116 unidades de producción apícola (UPA) de donde se obtuvo información socioeconómica y de uso de CT de manejo, genética, alimentación y sanidad, de la cual se definieron 18 variables originales y seis índices tecnológicos, con las que se obtuvo la estratificación de los apicultores aplicando métodos multivariados. Para la caracterización y comparación de los grupos resultantes se realizó un análisis de varianza bajo un modelo completamente aleatorio para las variables continuas y una prueba de homogeneidad para las variables categóricas. Se detectaron cuatro factores que explican el 70 % de la variación y que por las cargas factoriales de las variables analizadas se llamaron: 1) capacidad productiva de la UPA, 2) estatus sanitario de la UPA, 3) capacidades del apicultor y 4) gestión de la UPA. Se identificaron tres tipos de apicultores; pequeños con nivel tecnológico bajo (55 %), grandes con nivel tecnológico intermedio (9 %) y medianos con nivel tecnológico intermedio (35 %). La tipología que se obtuvo puede ser útil para generar políticas públicas diferenciadas que incrementen el uso de innovaciones tecnológicas que incidan en una mayor eficiencia y productividad de las unidades de producción apícola.

RESUMOO artigo objetiva identificar a percepção e as dificuldades que os produtores têm em adotar práticas mais responsáveis social e ambientalmente. Utilizou-se de método qualitativo, com entrevista semiestruturada com cinco das seis pessoas que participam da Associação de Apicultores. Nesse sentido, a pesquisa utilizou a análise categorial temática, com o desmembramento em categorias conforme os temas que emergem do texto identificando o que eles têm em comum, dividida em quatro categorias temáticas: 3.1 - Perfil dos entrevistados; 3.2 - Determinação da criação de abelhas e da produção do mel; 3.3 - Conhecimento da atividade e importância da associação; 3.4 - Comercialização e responsabilidade social e ambiental. A responsabilidade social em relação ao mel foi evidenciada como um diferencial no produto concentrado nas preocupações com o meio ambiente, influenciando as tomadas de decisões dos apicultores em seus negócios, bem como no comprometimento para a melhoria da qualidade de vida e bem-estar social. Os resultados da pesquisa também demonstraram que a apicultura é uma atividade lucrativa. No entanto, se percebeu que, em decorrência dos associados não estarem bem organizados, têm dificuldades em comercializar seus produtos.

ABSTRACTThe article aims to identify perception and difficulties that producers have to adopt more socially responsible practices and environmentally. A qualitative method to semi structured interviews we used with five of the six people involved Beekeepers Association. In this sense, the research used the thematic categorical analysis, with the break up into categories according to the themes that emerge from the text identifying what they have in common. The research was divided into four thematic categories: 3.1 - Profile of respondents; 3.2 - Determination of beekeeping and honey production; 3.3 - Knowledge of the activity and importance of the association; 3.4 - Marketing and social and environmental responsibility. Social responsibility related to honey was shown as a gap in the concentrated product on concerns about the environment, influencing the decision making of the beekeepers in their business as well as the commitment to improving the quality of life and well - social welfare. The results also showed that beekeeping is a lucrative activity. However it was realized that as a result of members not being well organized, have difficulties in marketing their products.

RESUMENEl artículo tiene como objetivo identificar la percepción y las dificultades que los productores tienen que adoptar más prácticas socialmente responsables y ambientalmente. Fue utilizada metodología cualitativa, con entrevista semiestructurada con cinco de las seis personas que forman parte de la Asociación de Apicultores. En ese sentido, la investigación utilizó el análisis categorial temático, con el desmembramiento en categorías de acuerdo a los temas que emergen del texto, identificando lo que tienen en común. La investigación fue dividida en cuatro categorías temáticas: 3.1 - Perfil de los entrevistados; 3.2 - Determinación de la apicultura y la producción de miel; 3.3 - El conocimiento de la actividad y la importancia de la asociación; 3.4 - La comercialización y la responsabilidad social y ambiental. Dicho factor se concentra en las preocupaciones con el medio ambiente e influye en las tomas de decisión de los apicultores en sus negocios, así como en el compromiso con la mejoría de la calidad de vida y el bienestar social. Los resultados de la investigación demostraron, además, que la apicultura es una actividad lucrativa. Fue percibido, no obstante, que por el hecho de no estar bien organizados los asociados encuentran dificultades a la hora de comercializar sus productos.

O estudo analisa e busca subsídios para gerar e transferir tecnologias compatíveis com o nível socioeconômico dos apicultores. Os dados foram extraídos a partir do Censo Apícola, englobando 75 municípios com atividade apícola representativa. Foi utilizada a Análise Fatorial para caracterizar o nível tecnológico dos apicultores. Os resultados evidenciaram baixo nível tecnológico. Por meio dos escores fatoriais calculou-se o índice bruto de desenvolvimento. Com valores mais altos desse índice, destacaram-se os municípios de Conceição de Macabu, Areal, Duas Barras, Rio Claro, Cardoso Moreira, Cachoeiras de Macacu, Campos dos Goytacazes, Natividade e Nova Iguaçu. Constatou-se que o grau de escolaridade influenciou positivamente o desenvolvimento dos apicultores. Esse desenvolvimento também foi afetado pela assistência técnica, pelo manejo da troca de rainha e pela prática da apicultura migratória. Dessa forma, a modernização dos apicultores no sentido de melhorar o nível tecnológico, expandir a produtividade e diversificar a produção passa necessariamente pelo nível de conhecimento do apicultor e pela situação socioeconômica.

The study examines and seeks grants to generate and transfer compatible technologies with the socioeconomic status of beekeepers. Data were extracted from the Census Beekeeping, involving 75 municipalities with significant beekeeping activity. Factor analysis was used to characterize the technological level of beekeepers. The results showed low technological level. Using the factor scores the gross rate of development was calculated. With higher values of this index, Conceição de Macabu, Areal, Duas Barras, Rio Claro, Cardoso Moreira, Cachoeiras de Macacu, Campos dos Goytacazes, Natividade e Nova Iguaçu cities were highlighted. It was found that the level of education has affected positively the development of beekeepers. This development was also affected by the technical assistance, by the management and exchange of queen practice and by the migratory beekeeping. Thus, the modernization of beekeepers to improve the technological level, expand productivity and diversify their production necessarily involves knowledge level of the beekeeper and the socioeconomic situation.

Mexican apiculture is a millenarian activity that contributes to the economic, social and ecological welfare of the production regions. However, no proposals for technological innovations in this sector are known. The objective of this research was to diagnose the present situation and characteristics of beekeepers in the South and Southeastern regions of the State of Jalisco. A survey was conducted to 183 beekeepers distributed in 5 strata according to the number of beehives owned: 1-25; 25- 50; 50-100; 100 -500; and > 500. The average beekeeper age was 47 yr with a beekeeping average experience of 16.5 yr; only 40 % finished elementary school. Beekeeping is the main economic activity for beekeepers having more than 100 beehives, in contrast to those with less than 25 beehives which engage in other economic activities. Honey production per beehive is higher in those beekeepers owning less than 50 beehives. As the incorporation of new beekeeping technology is in its infancy in this region, there is an important potential for the generation of new productive models.

La apicultura mexicana es una actividad milenaria con importantes aportaciones en el ámbito económico, social y ecológico de las regiones productoras. Sin embargo las propuestas de innovación tecnológica en este sector se desconocen. El objetivo de esta investigación fue diagnosticar la situación actual y características de los apicultores de las regiones Sur y Sureste de Jalisco. Se realizó un muestreo con 183 apicultores distribuidos de acuerdo a cinco estratos: de 1 a 25 colmenas, de 26 a 50 colmenas, de 51 a 100 colmenas de 101 a 500 colmenas y de 501 o más colmenas. La edad promedio de los apicultores fue de 47 años, con un experiencia promedio de 16.46 años; el 40 % tiene escolaridad de nivel primaria. La apicultura es la actividad económica principal para los apicultores con unidades productivas de 101 a 500 colmenas, a diferencia de los productores con menos de 25 colmenas en donde practican otras actividades económicas. El rendimiento promedio de miel es de 16.73 kg por colmena, superior en los apicultores de menos de 50 colmenas. La incorporación de nuevas tecnologías en la apicultura es aún incipiente en esta región, por lo que se tiene un importante potencial para generar nuevos modelos productivos.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo verificar as propriedades físicas e químicas do mel da região Sul do Estado do Tocantins a partir de 24 amostras provenientes de 13 associações de apicultores. As análises realizadas foram pH, acidez, índice de refração, umidade, peso específico, cinzas, hidroximetilfurfural (Prova qualitativa), índice de formol, reação de Lund e açúcares redutores. Todas as análises foram realizadas em triplicata, o tratamento estatístico compreendeu média, desvio padrão e os resultados foram submetidos à análise fatorial e análise de agrupamento. As amostras apresentaram índice de reprovação de 50% aos padrões estabelecidos pela legislação. A grande variação nos resultados entre as amostras podem ser devido a diferentes origens florais dos méis e a sua inadequação à legislação pode ter origem na exposição do produto a condições de temperatura e umidade inadequadas, nas etapas de manejo, processamento ou armazenamento do mel.

This study aimed at verifying the physical and chemical properties of 24 samples of honey produced by 13 beekeeper associations from Southern Tocantins State, Brazil. The following analyses were performed: pH, titatrable acidity, refractive index, moisture, ash, specific weight, hydroxymetilfurfural (qualitative probe), formol index, Lund reaction, and inverted sugar. All analyses were performed in triplicates, and the statistical analysis comprised mean, standard deviation, factor analysis, and cluster analysis. The samples presented a failure index of 50% regarding the legislation standards. The considerable variation of results can be due to the different honey floral origins and the failure to meet the standards established by national legislation may be due to the exposition of the honey to inappropriate conditions of temperature and humidity during the honey beekeeping, processing, or storage.

O conhecimento da origem botânica do mel é de grande importância para o apicultor por indicar fontes adequadas e de abundante suprimento de néctar e pólen para as abelhas, contribuindo, desta forma, para uma melhor produção. O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar os tipos polínicos em 58 amostras de méis produzidos em dois estados da região nordeste do Brasil, Piauí (38 amostras) e Ceará (20 amostras), verificando o potencial das plantas apícolas durante os meses de fevereiro a agosto. As amostras foram obtidas diretamente de apicultores de cada Estado e analisadas no Laboratório de Apicultura do Setor de Entomologia da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", USP, Piracicaba, Estado de São Paulo. A análise polínica foi realizada utilizando-se o método da acetólise. As amostras foram submetidas às análises qualitativa e quantitativa. Constatou-se como pólen dominante no Estado do Ceará, Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, M. verrucosa, Borreria verticillata, Serjania sp. e tipo polínico Fabaceae e para o Estado do Piauí, Piptadenia sp., M. caesalpiniaefolia, M. verrucosa, Croton urucurana e Tibouchina sp.

Knowledge about the botanical source of honey is very important for the beekeeper while it indicates adequate and abundant supply sources of nectar and pollen for the bees, thus contributing toward improved yield. The present study means to identify the pollen types occurring in 58 samples of honey produced in two states of the northeastern region of Brazil, Piauí (38 samples) and Ceará (20 samples), and to verify the potential of the honey plants during the months of February to August. The samples were obtained directly from beekeepers in each state and analyzed at the Apiculture Laboratory of the Entomology Section of Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz", USP, Piracicaba, State of São Paulo, Brazil. The pollen analysis was performed using the acetolysis method. The samples were submitted to both a qualitative and a quantitative analysis. The dominant pollen in the State of Ceará is from Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, M. verrucosa, Borreria verticillata, Serjania sp., and a Fabaceae pollen type, while in the State of Piauí it is from Piptadenia sp., M. caesalpiniaefolia, M. verrucosa, Croton urucurana and Tibouchina sp.

A composição do mel depende, basicamente, da composição do néctar de cada espécie vegetal produtora, conferindo-lhe características específicas enquanto que as condições climáticas e o manejo do apicultor têm influência menor sobre essas características. A presente pesquisa, desenvolvida com amostras de méis de Apis mellifera coletadas diretamente dos produtores de 84 municípios do Estado de São Paulo teve o objetivo de verificar, com base em características físico-químicas, como se agrupam as amostras de méis silvestres e de eucaliptos. Dentre as 121 amostras de méis analisadas as de eucaliptos e as silvestres formam grupos distintos quanto aos caracteres físico-químicos, o que confirma que a origem floral interfere decisivamente nas características dos méis. Pela análise dos componentes principais, pode-se verificar que os caracteres que mais influenciaram no agrupamentos das amostras de méis foram condutividade elétrica e quantidade de K, no eixo X e índice de formol e umidade, no eixo Y.

The honey composition depends, basically, of the nectar composition of each vegetal species. This composition confer to it specific characteristics while that the climatic conditions and the beekeeper handling have lesser influence on these features. The present research, developed with samples of Apis mellifera honeys, collected directly of the producers from 84 locations of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, had the objective of verifying, on the basis of physico-chemical characteristics, as the samples of wild and Eucalyptus honeys are grouped. Amongst the 121 samples analyzed the wild and Eucalyptus honeys form distinct groups with basis of the physico-chemical characteristics, what confirms that the floral origin intervenes decisively with the honey characteristics. For the analysis of the main components, it can be verified that the characters that had more influenced in the groupings of the honey samples were the electric conductivity and amount of K, in axle X and the formol index and humidity, in axle Y.

Con la finalidad de medir los rendimientos de propóleos colectados en colonias adultas de abejas africanizadas (híbridos de Apis mellifera scutellata) durante el período lluvioso se seleccionaron al azar 18 colmenas con diferentes fortalezas en el apiario de la Universidad Experimantal de las Llanos "Ezequiel Zamora", Guanare, Venezuela (09° 04´ N; 69° 48´ O). Los tratamientos estudiados fueron T1: tres colmenas con un alza (débil), con marco colector (MC); T2: tres colmenas con dos alzas (medio fuerte), con MC; T3: tres colmenas con tres alzas (fuerte), con MC; T4: tres colmenas con un alza (débil), sin MC (SMC); T5: tres colmenas con dos alzas (medio fuerte), SMC; T6: tres colmenas con tres alzas (fuerte), SMC. Se colocó un marco colector de propóleos, en la entretapa superior, a nueve de las colmenas seleccionadas. Para comparar los rendimientos de los propóleos colectados (en una cosecha) se utilizó un diseño de parcelas divididas (2x3) con distribución completamente aleatorizado con tres repeticiones. Los marcos se colocaron en Mayo de 2000, al inicio de la temporada de lluvias o post-cosecha, y se revisaron cada 15 días a fin de observar la acumulación de propóleos en los mismos. El periodo experimental culminó en Octubre de 2000. No se cosechó propóleos en ninguno de los tratamientos con MC de propóleos (T1, T2 y T3). Se observaron diferencias (P<0,05) en el propóleos colectado entre los tratamientos SMC: T4 (12,8 g), T5 (17,4 g) y T6 (23,4 g). La proporción de propóleos colectados en las diferentes partes de la colmena fue de: 56,6% en las piqueras, 22,7% en los cabezales de los marcos, 12,3% en la base de los marcos y 8,4% en los bordes de los cajones. Los rendimientos obtenidos señalan que la colección de propóleos pudiera generar un nuevo potencial de ingresos para el apicultor durante la etapa de post-cosecha.

At the apiary of the UNELLEZ, Guanare, Venezuela (09° 04´ N; 69° 48´ O) eighteen hives, collected in adult africanized honey bees colonies (hybrids of Apis mellifera scutellata) with different strength, were selected randomly during the rainy season to measure the yields on propolis. A propolis collector frame (CF) was placed on top of the last super of nine hives. The treatments under studied were T1: three hives with one super (weak) and CF; T2: three hives with two supers (middle strong) and CF; T3: three hives with three supers (strong) and CF; T4: three hives with one super (weak), without (WCF); T5: three hives with two supers (middle strong) and WCF and T6: three hives with three supers (strong) and WCF. To compare propolis yields (in one harvest) a split plot design was applied (2x3) with a completely randomised distribution, with three repetitions. The frames were placed from May-2000, at the beginning of the rainy season or post-harvest until October-2000. No propolis was collected in treatments with CF (T1, T2 and T3). Results showed differences (P<0.01) for the average propolis collected in the treatments T4 (12.8 g), T5 (17.4 g) and T6 (23.4 g). The percentage of propolis collected in the hive components was: 56,6% in the entrance, 22,7% in the frame’s crossbar, 12,3% was comb lean, and 8,4% in the border of the boxes. Yields obtained point out that propolis collection could potentially produce an extra income for the beekeeper during the post-harvest season.