AGGRESSIVENESS OF AFRICANIZED BEES (Apis melifera) ASSOCIATE TO THE HOUR OF THE DAY AND THE HUMIDITY IN MOSSORÓ-RN

Abstract

The objective of the work was to evaluate the level of aggressiveness of bees africanizadas in function of the hour of the day and the humidity, as well as to verify the best period to handle the beehives in the municipal district of Mossoró-RN. The research was accomplished in apiaries of the ranch Senegal where the beehives are installed since 2001. For the treatments 10 colonies of melliferous Apis were used, each beehive represented a repetition being chosen aleatoriamente. The aggressiveness tests were accomplished the months of March and May (rainy period). The schedules of observation were of the 7 to the 9 h, 10 to 13 15 at the 17 hours. The aggressiveness was tested by the method of STORT (1974). Where the time was observed for the first sting, distance that the bees pursue the observer and the number of stings left in the objective in 60 seconds, using a ball of suede of 3 cm of diameter of black color. It was observed that in the period of 15 at the 17 hours was the period in that the bees attacked more quickly with time on average of 3,7 seconds.In the period of 7 at the 9 hours that he/she obtained smaller sting number. It is ended, therefore, that there was not significant correlation to 1% of probability among the times for the first sting and the environmental humidity of the three schedules. It is also for the characteristics and humidity. The schedule that presented smaller aggressiveness was the period from 7 to the 9 hours, being the most appropriate for the handling of the beehives. Key Words: Aggressiveness, bees, beekeeping.