The Influence of Environmental Factors on the Activity and Propolis Production of Tetragonula laeviceps

Abstract

The Environment is one of the factors influencing the development and productivity of the bee colony. Favourable environment will significantly support bee productivity. The factors which influence the bees activity include temperature, humidity, light intensity, wind speed, rainfall, and food availability. The aims of this study are to know the influence of environmental factors on activity and propolis production of stingless bees. This study used six colonies of Tetragonula laeviceps into two different locations, monoculture and polyculture nutmeg farm. The method used is a direct observation of the activities and propolis production of stingless bee and analyzed by t-test. The study results of T. laeviceps in monoculture and polyculture farms showed that the activity of the bees was influenced by environmental factors influencing propolis production. The activities would start when the temperatures ranged from 22-23 oC, humidity 70-88%, and light intensity 183-4344 lux. The peak activity of the bees occurred at the temperatures of 26-28 oC, humidity 55-71%, and light intensity 46.875-91.347 lux. The propolis produced by T. laeviceps was 27.79 g in the monoculture farm and 48.80 g in the polyculture farm. The significant difference was predominantly due to the environmental factors.

Factors That Influence Supply of Kelulut Honey in Segamat, Johor

“…Unlike the past researchers, Salatnaya et al (2020) claimed the environment is the main factor that influences the supply of Kelulut Honey produced, the result in Segamat, Johor did not support the previous study. The only factor under the environment which was the temperature was found to be significant.…”

“…This includes the processing place, temperature, and ambient humidity. Based on the previous study by Salatnaya et al (2020) confirms that the environment influences the activity and propolis production of stingless bees. A stingless bee is a cold-blooded insect and sensitive to changes in environmental temperatures.…”

“…Furthermore, having a suitable environment to build up the stingless bee nest can be taken into consideration in the processing so that the bees can produce better and good quality honey (Salatnaya et al, 2020). Factors of the environment that influence the activities of the bees are temperature, relative humidity, season, light intensity and rainfall.…”

“…It is because the wrong temperature might affect the content of Kelulut Honey in terms of their concentration, moisture content and sticky nature of the honey. Hence, high temperatures as well as high light intensity, increase the activity of the bees, while high humidity in the monoculture farm decreases the activity of the bees (Salatnaya et al, 2020). To be more specific there is a relationship between the moisture content of honey and the temperature.…”

Manajemen Pekarangan Ramah Lebah Tanpa Sengat sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Jasa Lanskap Perkotaan

“…Suhu udara Kota Depok berkisar antara 24,30-33,00°C dan rata-rata kelembapan sebesar 82% (DKP3 2019) yang dapat mendukung aktivitas lebah tanpa sengat. Spesies lebah tersebut mulai beraktivitas pada suhu 22-23°C (pagi hari) yang puncak aktivitasnya pada suhu 26-28°C (siang hari) dengan kelembapan sekitar 55-88% (Salatnaya et al 2020). Penelitian Yustia et al (2017) juga menyebutkan puncak aktivitas lebah tanpa sengat pada suhu 34,71°C.…”