Here is a rough draft of the study I would do....if anyone wants to fund it, please let me know. There would be both observation hives and 10 frame hives I've been working on the observation hive setup for a while, so that is hashed out a bit more than the 10 frame trials. I can't take the time go through all the details at the moment....but I have given this some thought
Ideally the observation hive trials should be done in several locations concurently (I imagine a set of customized trailers that could be placed with various beekeepers).
(20) 2 Frame Observation Hives, in 4 groups, each group facing a different direction (NSEW). Cross A and Cross B combs are made from left and right halves of Mann Lake small and large frames “married” together (much like the "mosaic frames" used in comb contamination trials). Cross A will have small on the top left and bottom right, Cross B will have small on the top right and bottom left.
• Small Mann Lake
• Large Mann Lake
• Foundationless
• Cross A
• Cross B
Each observation hive (OH) will have 24 hour video recording on each face, as well as other metric data collection (weight, bee counter, array of temperature sensors).
Observational data obtained would be:
• Cell size preferences for various functions/activities
• Development time (pre and post capping)
• Behavioral Differences between the groups
• Survival
Experimental data obtained would be:
• Mite counts
o Shake/Wash/Drop
o Pulling Brood
o Behavioral differences in marked bees emerged from different sized comb
• Impact of queen could be measured by swapping queens between large and small cell hives
• Microbial analysis
o Bees
o Bee Bread
o Bee Poop
Costs (X 20 per location)
• Observation Hives ($200)
• Monitoring Equipment
o Cameras ($200)
o Scale equipment ($200)
o Bee Counter (?)
o Temperature Probes ($200)
• Package of Bees ($95)
• 5 Plastic Frames ($25) (packages will be started in a nuc to first draw comb and to regress where appropriate)
• Climate controlled space with outside walls on 4 sides (?)
Fixed Costs
• Computer equipment ($2000)
• Systems integration and customization ($2000)
• Time (?)
10 frame trials: Should be done X 100 by 20 beekeepers with various practices (weighted towards “no treatment” types) in all different parts of the U.S. (or world)…each beekeeper with 5 sets of hives in 5 locations.
• Small Mann Lake
• Large Mann Lake
• Foundationless
• Wax small cell
• Wax large cell