WO2000057694A1

WO2000057694A1 - Artificially ventilated beehive

Info

Publication number: WO2000057694A1
Application number: PCT/IL2000/000174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yanai Man; Dan Weil
Original assignee: Polyam-Pollination Services Yad-Mordechai
Priority date: 1999-03-30
Filing date: 2000-03-16
Publication date: 2000-10-05
Also published as: AU3321200A; IL129248A0

Abstract

A beehive (10) for housing bees of the genus Bombus. The beehive (10) includes a container (12) defining a confinement (14) for housing the bees, the container (12) is formed with one or more openings (16) for allowing the bees to enter into and egress from the confinement (14). The beehive (10) also includes an electrically operated ventilation mechanism (18) installed at a face (13) of the container (12), so as to ventilate the beehive (10) when operated.

Description

ARTIFICIALLY VENTILATED BEEHIVE

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a beehive and, more particularly, to a

self contained, portable and ventilated beehive suitable for housing cold

climate bees, such as, but not limited to, the pollinating bee species of the

genus Bombus - Bombus terrestris - in worm environment, such as within a

greenhouse.

Roughly 8 % of the angiosperm plants including tomatoes, eggplant,

potatoes, blueberries and cranberries are characterized by a stamen with a

single apical aperture or by short apical slits for the release of pollen grains.

In addition these plants produce pollen in small smooth grains which

are released from the apical aperture/slit only when the blossom of the plant

is shaken. These qualities make them unsuitable for pollination by

honeybees (Apis mellifera) which are traditionally used in agriculture to

facilitate pollination of plants with a vertical slit along the length of the

stamen. This is due to the inability of the honeybee to shake the blossom in

order to release pollen, an insect behavior referred to as "buzz pollination".

Among the species of bee capable of buzz pollination are the

bumblebee (Bombus terrestris and other Bombus spp.). Use of bumblebees capable of buzz pollination greatly increases pollination percentage in

vegetable crops including tomato, eggplant and other plant species of the

Solanum genus, and also improves the quality of the vegetables by

increasing the number of pollinated seeds per blossom.

In addition, it replaces other means of shaking the blossoms to

facilitate pollination which involve mechanical shaking of plants by human

labor with the aid of mechanical vibrators and/or fans. This combination of

increased yield and quality, with reduced labor input make use of

bumblebees an attractive option for commercial production of the crops

described above.

In addition to the ability to perform buzz pollination, bumblebees

have several other characteristics which make them attractive for use in

commercial agriculture. These include a large hairy body which can carry

roughly five times more pollen than the small smooth body of a honeybee, a

rate of visiting flowers which is roughly double than that of the honeybee,

and good activity at low temperature. Bumblebees visit many flowers along

a long flight path and move quickly from one blossom to another, giving a

very high pollination rate in comparison to honeybees. Closed environments, such as greenhouses and tunnels, and shade tarpaulins, which

interfere with the activity of honeybees are not an impediment to normal

bumblebee activity. Lastly, bumblebees can pollinate many flowers which

honeybees cannot pollinate at all for the reasons discussed above. In

summary, the efficiency of bumblebees in pollination can be as much as ten

times greater than that of honeybees under optimal conditions.

However, bumblebees are native to northern climates. As a result,

temperatures above 34 °C can adversely affect development of the bees and

normal functioning thereof. This makes commercial use of bumblebees

problematic for greenhouse production of vegetables such as tomato,

eggplant and pepper in warm climates unless an enabling technology is

developed. Primitive means were so far used to cool over heated beehives

including covering thereof with a wet cloth.

There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly

advantageous to have, a ventilated beehive suitable for sustaining cold

climate bees, such as, but not limited to, a pollinating bee species of the

genus Bombus, in worm environment, such as within a greenhouse. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a beehive for

housing bees of the genus Bombus, the beehive comprising (a) a container

defining a confinement for housing the bees, said container being formed

with at least one opening for allowing the bees to enter into and egress from

said confinement; and (a) an electrically operated ventilation mechanism

being installed at a face of said container, so as to ventilate the beehive

when operated.

According to further features in preferred embodiments of the

invention described below, the container is formed with at least one

ventilation opening.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the at least one ventilation opening is covered with a net so as

to prevent passage of the bees therethrough.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments at least one of the at least one ventilation opening is formed at

a bottom of the container, such that when the beehive is placed on the

ground, the ventilation opening faces the ground. According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the electrically operated ventilation mechanism is installed at

an top face of the container.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the beehive further comprising a source of food.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the source of food includes a liquid impermeable bag

containing an aqueous sugar solution and a capillary wick being in contact

with the aqueous sugar solution and protruding from the bag.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the container includes a subcontainer holding the liquid

impermeable bag.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the subcontainer is made of carton.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the container is made of plastic.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the plastic is polyvinylchloride (PVC). According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the at least one opening includes at least one bi-directional

opening designed for allowing the bees to enter into and egress from the

confinement and at least one unidirectional opening designed for allowing

the bees to enter into the confinement.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the at least one bi-directional opening is coverable with a

matching cover.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the electrically operated ventilation mechanism includes a

fan.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the beehive further comprising a power source for operating

the electrically operated ventilation mechanism.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the power source includes a solar panel for transforming solar

energy into electricity. According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the solar panel includes an energy transfer cable permitting

remote installation thereof.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the solar panel further includes a balancing mechanism, so as

to enable hanging thereof over a line.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the power source further includes a rechargeable battery for

transforming the electricity into a storable chemical energy which is

retransformable into electricity upon demand.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the beehive further comprising a thermal sensor and a

command circuitry communicating with the electrically operated ventilation

mechanism, so as to limit the electrically operated ventilation mechanism to

operate only when the sensor senses a temperature exceeding a

predetermined value.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the power source is a battery. Further according to the present invention there is provided a method

of maintaining cold climate bees, capable of buzz pollination, in a worm

environment, the method comprising the step of housing the bees in a

beehive being equipped with an electrically operated ventilation mechanism

for cooling the beehive.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the cold climate bees are of the genus Bombus.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the cold climate bees are of the species Bombus terrestris.

According to still further features in the described preferred

embodiments the worm environment is in a greenhouse.

Still further according to the present invention there is provided a

method of pollinating a vegetation grown under a worm environment by

cold climate bees capable of buzz pollination, the method comprising the

steps of housing the bees in a beehive being equipped with an electrically

operated ventilation mechanism for cooling the beehive and positioning the

beehive in a vicinity of the vegetation. The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the

presently known configurations by providing a ventilated beehive for

housing cold climate bees in warm environments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with

reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beehive according to the present

invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a beehive according to the present

invention; and

FIG. 3 is perspective view of a beehive according to the present

invention located in a greenhouse.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is of a self contained, portable and ventilated

beehive which can be used with cold climate bees. Specifically, the present

invention can be used to sustain a colony of a pollinating bee species of the

genus Bombus, in worm environment, such as within a greenhouse. The principles and operation of a beehive according to the present

invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and

accompanying descriptions.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail,

it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the

details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in

the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is

capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various

ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology

employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be

regarded as limiting.

Referring now to the drawings, Figures 1-3 illustrate a beehive

according to the present invention, which is refeπed to hereinbelow as

beehive 10.

Beehive 10 according to the present invention is constructed for

housing and sustaining bees capable of buzz pollination and which are

accustomed to cold climates, especially bees of the genus Bombus, Bombus

terrestris in particular. Beehive 10 includes a container 12. Container 12 is preferably made

of plastic, such as, but not limited to, polyvinylchloride (PVC) and it

defines a confinement 14, which is best seen in Figure 2, and which serves

for housing the bees. Container 14 is formed with at least one opening 16

for allowing the bees to enter into and egress from confinement 14.

Beehive 10 according to the present invention further includes an

electrically operated ventilation mechanism 18. Ventilation mechanism 18

is installed at a face 13 of container 12, so as to ventilate the beehive when

operated. Face 13 can be, for example, a side wall 20 or bottom 22 of

container 12, yet according to a preferred embodiment, and as specifically

shown in Figures 1-3, face 13 is a top face (e.g., a top cover) 24 of container

12.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention

container 12 is formed with at least one, preferably several, ventilation

openings 26. Openings 26, which are preferably covered by net structures

27 to prevent passage of bees through openings 26, serve, as indicated by

arrows 28 in Figure 2, to create air flow through confinement 14, thereby to

improve the ventilation of beehive 10 as effected by ventilation mechanism 18. Another net structure 25 is preferably deployed so as to separate

ventilation mechanism 18 from confinement 14, so as to prevent the bees

from reaching ventilation mechanism 18.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention some

of openings 26 are positioned at side walls 20, whereas other openings 26

are positioned at bottom 22 of container 12. When container 12 is located

on a moisturized soil, as in a green house, air flowing into confinement 14

through bottom 22 openings 26 is chilled by the moisture in the soil. Side

walls 20 openings 26, on the other hand, are more accessible so as to effect

better air flow.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention

beehive 10 further includes a source of food 30. Food source 30 preferably

includes a liquid impermeable bag 32 containing an aqueous sugar solution

34 and a capillary wick 36 which is in contact with aqueous sugar solution

34 and protrudes from bag 32 into confinement 14. Source 30 provides the

bees with required carbohydrates. Source 30 is specifically advantageous in

cases wherein beehive 30 is located in a green house in which nectar free

plants, such as tomato plants, are grown. According to a prefeπed embodiment, a subcontainer 38 within confinement 14 is employed for

holding liquid impermeable bag 32. Subcontainer 38 is preferably made of

carton.

According to a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention

container 12 is formed with at least one bi-directional opening 40 designed

for allowing the bees to enter into and egress from confinement 14.

Preferably an additional, unidirectional opening 42 designed for allowing

the bees to enter into confinement 14 is also employed, such that by

covering opening 40 with a matching cover 44, a grower can collect and

confine the bees within beehive 10 through opening 42. Bi- and

unidirectional bee openings are well known in the art and require no further

description herein. For example, a beehive manufactured by Pollination

Services Yad-Mordechai, Kibbuz Yad-Mordechai, 79145 Israel, is

supplemented with bi- and unidirectional bee openings.

According to a prefeπed embodiment of the present mvention

electrically operated ventilation mechanism 18 includes a motor 45 operated

fan 46. A power source 48 is employed for operating electrically operated

ventilation mechanism 18. According to a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention power

source 48 includes a solar panel 50 which is used, as well known in the art

of solar panels, to transform solar energy into electricity. Solar panel 50 is

preferably directly or indirectly connected to mechanism 18 via an energy

transfer cable 52, permitting remote installation thereof.

According to a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, solar

panel further 50 includes a balancing mechanism 54, such as a weight 55

connected to the corners thereof via wires 57, so as to enable positioning of

panel 50 over a line 56, such as a horizontal line which is used to support

vertical lines, which are used to direct vertical growth of greenhouse plants.

A simple battery 64 within or aside container 12 can alternatively be

employed as power source 48.

According to a prefeπed embodiment of the present invention, power

source 48 further includes a rechargeable battery 58 which is used to

transform electricity produced by panel 50 into storable chemical energy

which is retransformable into electricity upon demand. A thermal sensor 60

and a command circuitry 62 communicating with electrically operated

ventilation mechanism 18 are preferably used to limit electrically operated ventilation mechanism 18 to operate only when sensor 60 senses a

temperature exceeding a predetermined value, say any temperature value

between 22 °C and 35 °C.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method

of maintaining cold climate bees capable of buzz pollination, such as bees

of the genus Bombus, Bombus terrestris in particular, in a worm

environment, such as in a greenhouse. The method according to this aspect

of the present invention is effected by housing the bees in a beehive

equipped with an electrically operated ventilation mechanism for cooling

the beehive.

According to still another aspect, the present invention provides a

method of pollinating a vegetation grown under a worm environment, such

as in a greenhouse, by cold climate bees capable of buzz pollination, such as

bees of the genus Bombus, Bombus terrestris in particular. The method

according to this aspect of the present invention is effected by housing the

bees in a beehive equipped with an electrically operated ventilation

mechanism for cooling the beehive and positioning the artificially cooled

beehive in a vicinity of the vegetation. It was experimentally determined that under otherwise identical

conditions Bombus terrestris bees housed in the beehive according to the

present invention survived about one to two weeks longer as compared to

identical bees housed under prior art conditions, i.e., with no artificial

ventilation.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with

specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,

modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications

and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended

claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A beehive for housing bees of the genus Bombus, the beehive

comprising:

(a) a container defining a confinement for housing the bees, said

container being formed with at least one opening for allowing

the bees to enter into and egress from said confinement; and

(a) an electrically operated ventilation mechanism being installed

at a face of said container, so as to ventilate the beehive when

operated.

2. The beehive of claim 1 , wherein said container is formed with

at least one ventilation opening.

3. The beehive of claim 2, wherein said at least one ventilation

opening is covered with a net so as to prevent passage of the bees

therethrough.

4. The beehive of claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least

one ventilation opening is formed at a bottom of said container, such that

when the beehive is placed on the ground, said ventilation opening faces the

ground.

5. The beehive of claim 1 , wherein said electrically operated

ventilation mechanism is installed at an top face of said container.

6. The beehive of claim 1, further comprising a source of food.

7. The beehive of claim 6, wherein said source of food includes

a liquid impermeable bag containing an aqueous sugar solution and a

capillary wick being in contact with said aqueous sugar solution and

protruding from said bag.

8. The beehive of claim 7, wherein said container includes a

subcontainer holding said liquid impermeable bag.

The beehive of claim 8, wherein said subcontainer is made of

carton.

10. The beehive of claim 1 , wherein said container is made of

plastic.

1 1. The beehive of claim 10, wherein said plastic is

polyvinylchloride (PVC).

12. The beehive of claim 1, wherein said at least one opening

includes at least one bi-directional opening designed for allowing the bees

to enter into and egress from said confinement and at least one

unidirectional opening designed for allowing the bees to enter into said

confinement.

13. The beehive of claim 12, wherein said at least one bi¬

directional opening is coverable with a matching cover.

14. The beehive of claim 1 , wherein said electrically operated

ventilation mechanism includes a fan.

15. The beehive of claim 1, further comprising a power source for

operating said electrically operated ventilation mechanism.

16. The beehive of claim 15, wherein said power source includes

a solar panel for transforming solar energy into electricity.

17. The beehive of claim 16, wherein said solar panel includes an

energy transfer cable permitting remote installation thereof.

18. The beehive of claim 17, wherein said solar panel further

includes a balancing mechanism, so as to enable hanging thereof over a line.

19. The beehive of claim 16, wherein said power source further

includes a rechargeable battery for transforming said electricity into a storable chemical energy which is retransformable into electricity upon

demand.

20. The beehive of claim 1 , further comprising a thermal sensor

and a command circuitry communicating with said electrically operated

ventilation mechanism, so as to limit said electrically operated ventilation

mechanism to operate only when said sensor senses a temperature

exceeding a predetermined value.

21. The beehive of claim 15, wherein said power source is a

battery.

22. A method of maintaining cold climate bees capable of buzz

pollination in a worm environment, the method comprising the step of

housing the bees in a beehive being equipped with an electrically operated

ventilation mechanism for cooling said beehive. 2?

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the cold climate bees are of

the genus Bombus.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the cold climate bees are of

the species Bombus terrestris.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein said worm environment is in

a greenhouse.

26. A method of pollinating a vegetation grown under a worm

environment by cold climate bees capable of buzz pollination, the method

comprising the steps of housing the bees in a beehive being equipped with

an electrically operated ventilation mechanism for cooling said beehive and

positioning said beehive in a vicinity of the vegetation.