El impacto del tipo de material en la termorregulación de las colonias formadas a partir de paquetes de abejas

This study evaluated internal temperature regulation in package-based colonies housed in nucleus hives constructed from wood (nW) and in expanded polystyrene (nEPS) boxes. In winter of 2023, five Apis mellifera ligusticahybrid colonies originating from packages were installed in respective nucleus hives in an experimental station (Mendoza, Argentina). The internal temperature, flight activity and sealed brood area were measured. Over a 13-day pediod the mean daily internal temperature was lower in nW (31.9°C) than in nEPS (33.8°C), with greater daily thermal amplitude in nW (2.8 °C) compared to nEPS (1.8 °C). Sealed brood area tended to be smaller in nW (2,717cm²) than in nEPS (3,275 cm²). Pollen foraging activity did not differ significantly between groups. These results suggest that EPS nucleus hives provide greater thermal stability in package-based colonies. The discussion addresses how temperature dynamics reflect colony status and serve as indicator of population growthunder the package technique.