IoT-Based Beehive Monitoring System for Real-Time Monitoring of Apis cerana indica Colonies

Abstract

A study was conducted to monitor the bee activity in the colonies of diferente strengths in real time using an IoT-based device. The in-hive temperature and relative humidity were measured in the colonies of Apis cerana indica Fabricius of different strengths using the sensor-laden IoT device that was correlated with the movement of foragers into and out of the hive. A significantly higher movement of foragers was recorded at an in-hive temperature and relative humidity of 27.84 ºC and 61.47% at 5-6 p.m. with an observed activity of 9,638 bees/hive/hour in the strong colonies. In the weak colonies, the mean forager activity was 1,436.3 bees/hive/hour, which was recorded at an in-hive temperature of 26.52 ºC and 61.42% relative humidity. The mean honey area in the strong and weak colonies were 1,300.80±177.61 cm2 and 508.80±156.84 cm2, respectively. Pollen area in the strong and weak colonies were 447.60±112.08 cm2 and 116.20±66.43 cm2, respectively. In the strong and weak colonies, the area under egg brood was 470±53.06 cm2 and 88.20±36.85 cm2, larvae brood was 583.40±11.04 cm2 and 80.00±24.67 cm2 and sealed brood was 684.20±57.98 cm2 and 102.80±16.59 cm2, respectively. The real-time data on the movement of foragers in the colonies of different strengths enabled us to undertake timely intervention in the maintenance of the bee colonies.