THE EFFECTS OF MEDICAL AND AROMATIC PLANT EXTRACTS ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HONEYBEE (APIS MELLIFERA L.) COLONIES

In this study, the effects of extracts obtained from medicinal and aromatic plants added to syrups used to feeding honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies on some physiological characteristics of colonies were investigated. The experiment was carried out on 6 groups of 5 colonies. These groups are syrup (S), syrup + Urtica dioica (SU), Syrup + Melissa officinalis (SM), Syrup + Hypericum perforatum (SH), Syrup + Achillea millefolium (SA) and syrup + Thymus serpyllum (ST). As a result of the research, the sealed brood area data were determined as 3013.24±1939.26, 3107.00±2060.42, 3270.81±2194.80, 3091.20±1962.69, 3273.90±2095.49 and 3613.06±2348.27 cm2 in S, SU, SM, SH, SA, ST groups, respectively. When we compare the honey yields of the experimental groups, according to group S, SU increased by 18.48%, SM 43.10%, SH 16.04%, SA 27.35% and ST 53.86%. Therefore, syrup + medicinal and aromatic plant extract mixture given to honey bee colonies may have a positive effect on colony development and honey yield.