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Journals / Uludağ Arıcılık Dergisi / 2026 / Volume: 26

Thermal management for enhanced honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) survival and productivity under arid climate stress

Kurak iklim koşullarında bal arılarının (Apis mellifera L.) yaşam süresi ve üretkenliğinin iyileştirilmesine yönelik termal yönetim

Abdallah S. Shafey(Suez Canal University)0000-0003-3242-2155
Youssef A. Elshabrawy(School of Engineering and Technology, Badr University in Cairo)0009-0005-7803-2242
Mohamed A. Shebl(Suez Canal University)0000-0002-4099-9846
Ahmed Alaa Elshabarawy(Suez Canal University)0009-0002-3736-7909
Zeinb E. Abd-Ellatif(Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University)0009-0006-9209-6661
Samaa M. Tawfik(Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University)0009-0003-4972-7462
Eman M. Abdallah(Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University)0009-0008-9871-9764
Aya A. Shokry(Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University)0009-0006-2602-3181
Soliman M. Kamel(Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University)0000-0002-1281-3880
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-03-02
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The results showed that thermal regulation during winter improved colony performance.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies are increasingly exposed to climate-driven thermal extremes in arid regions such as Egypt.
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Key Findings & Data:This two-year study (2024–2025) compared one programmable temperature-controlled (TC) hive equipped with ceramic heating for winter and dual fans for summer with one standard control (SC) hive, and the results were interpreted as proof-of-concept.
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Conclusion & Impact:The results showed that thermal regulation during winter improved colony performance.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:2024–2025 Verileri
⚙️Variables:Colony loss · Climate change adaptation · Hive technology

Abstract

Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies are increasingly exposed to climate-driven thermal extremes in arid regions such as Egypt. This two-year study (2024–2025) compared one programmable temperature-controlled (TC) hive equipped with ceramic heating for winter and dual fans for summer with one standard control (SC) hive, and the results were interpreted as proof-of-concept. The results showed that thermal regulation during winter improved colony performance. So, foraging activity in the TC hive averaged 301 bees compared to 93 bees in the SC hive. Feed consumption reached 90% in the TC Hive versus 24% in the SC Hive. Brood development increased more than five times in the TC hive (1250 cm² vs. 230 cm²), accompanied by a higher honey yield (1146 g vs. 410 g). Winter mortality was reduced in the TC hive (21 vs. 234 dead bees), and colony aggressiveness declined (3 vs. 24 stings). In summer, fan-based ventilation reduced internal temperatures by only 1–2 °C below ambient temperatures exceeding 40 °C. Consequently, differences between TC and SC hives were minimal across all measured parameters. These findings confirm that winter heating enhances colony resilience, whereas fan-only cooling is insufficient. Future systems should integrate evaporative cooling, thermoelectric modules, or solar-powered chillers.

Özet

Bal arısı (Apis mellifera L.) kolonileri, Mısır gibi kurak bölgelerde iklim kaynaklı aşırı sıcaklıklara giderek daha fazla maruz kalmaktadır. Bu iki yıllık çalışma (2024–2025), kış için seramik ısıtma ve yaz için çift fan ile donatılmış bir programlanabilir sıcaklık kontrollü (TC) kovanı, bir standart kontrol (SC) kovanı ile karşılaştırmış ve sonuçlar kavram kanıtı olarak yorumlanmıştır. Sonuçlar, kış aylarında ısı düzenlemesinin koloni performansını iyileştirdiğini göstermiştir. Böylece, TC kovanındaki besin arama faaliyeti ortalama 301 arı iken, SC kovanında bu sayı 93 arıdır. Yem tüketimi TC kovanında %90'a ulaşırken, SC kovanında %24'tür. TC kovanında yavru gelişimi beş kattan fazla arttı (1250 cm²'ye karşı 230 cm²), buna daha yüksek bal verimi eşlik etmiştir (1146 g'ye karşı 410 g). TC kovanında kış ölümleri azalmış (21'e karşı 234 ölü arı) ve koloni saldırganlığı azalmıştır (3'e karşı 24 sokma). Yaz aylarında, fan tabanlı havalandırma ile 40 °C'yi aşan ortam sıcaklıklarını sadece 1-2 °C’nin altına düşürdük. Sonuç olarak, TC ve SC kovanları arasında ölçülen tüm parametrelerdeki farklar minimum düzeyde olmuştur. Bu bulgular, kışın ısıtmanın koloni direncini artırdığını, ancak sadece fanla soğutmanın yetersiz olduğunu doğrulamaktadır. Gelecekteki sistemler, evaporatif soğutma, termoelektrik modüller veya güneş enerjili soğutucuları entegre edilmelidir.

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Cite This Article

Shafey, A. S., Elshabrawy, Y. A., Shebl, M. A., Elshabarawy, A. A., Abd-Ellatif, Z. E., Tawfik, S. M., Abdallah, E. M., Shokry, A. A., Kamel, S. M. (2026). Thermal management for enhanced honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) survival and productivity under arid climate stress. Uludağ Arıcılık Dergisi, Volume: 26. https://doi.org/10.31467/uluaricilik.1811855

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