EFFECT OF ADHESIVE MATERIAL VARIATION IN RICE HUSK AND SAWDUST CHARCOAL SMOKER ON THE BEHAVIOR OF HONEY BEE (APIS MELLIFERA)
Eva Dwi Jayanti, Sri Minarti, Eka Nurwahyuni

Universitas Brawijaya

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of different briquette compositions on combustion residue,
mortality rate, and behavioral responses of honey bees (Apis mellifera) during the smoking process.
Briquettes were prepared from rice husk and sawdust mixtures with varying tapioca flour concentrations
of 0 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent, 15 percent, and 20 percent (P0, P1, P2, P3, P4). Observed parameters included combustion residue,
bee mortality percentage, and behavioral reactions to smoke. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed
that briquette variation had a highly significant effect (P<0.01) on all observed parameters. The highest
average combustion residue was recorded in P4 (4.74 plus/minus 0.17 g), while the lowest was in P0 (0.68 plus/minus 0.07
g). Bee mortality was highest in P4 (2.20 plus/minus 0.20 percent) and lowest in P0 (1.23 plus/minus 0.15 percent). Bees exposed to
treatment P3 exhibited calm behavior with low buzzing intensity and no signs of stress, whereas
treatments P0 and P4 induced strong aggressiveness and hive exit activity. Therefore, the briquette
formulation with 15 percent tapioca adhesive (P3) was the most effective, producing low combustion residue,
minimal mortality, and maintaining stable colony behavior during smoking.

Keywords: Apis mellifera, briquette, combustion residue, mortality, bee behavior

Topic: Animal Production