A container for a nucleus hive of bees including a box having a polygonal shaped bottom and a plurality of side walls. Each one of the plurality of side walls extends upwardly from an edge of the polygonal shaped bottom. A side edge of each side wall is attached to a side edge of an adjacent side wall and upper edges of the side walls form an opening. The opening has an area larger than the area of the polygonal shaped bottom and a shape substantially corresponding to the polygonal shaped bottom. A hive frame support means is positioned on inner wall surfaces of a plurality of the side walls. A polygonal shaped removable lid is configured to rest upon and cover the opening. The box and lid are preferably formed from a rigid commodity grade plastic material.

A container for a nucleus hive of bees including a box having a polygonal shaped bottom and a plurality of side walls. Each one of the plurality of side walls extends upwardly from an edge of the polygonal shaped bottom. A side edge of each side wall is attached to a side edge of an adjacent side wall and upper edges of the side walls form an opening. The opening has an area larger than the area of the polygonal shaped bottom and a shape substantially corresponding to the polygonal shaped bottom. A hive frame support means is positioned on inner wall surfaces of a plurality of the side walls. A polygonal shaped removable lid is configured to rest upon and cover the opening. The box and lid are preferably formed from a rigid commodity grade plastic material.

A fondant feeding method and device for beekeeping. The method and apparatus comprising a raised platform having at least one through hole. The raised platform is placed atop the uppermost box in a standard hive body and fondant is placed above the through hole. Optional mesh within the through hole prevents the fondant from sagging. The platform and fondant are surrounded by an enclosing structure and topped with an inner and outer cover such that the device and food are housed within the hive body and protected from the elements. Bees may cluster freely beneath the chamber created by the raised platform to feed and generate heat. The platform shields the cluster from dripping condensation while simultaneously promoting a fondant consistency that is ideal for feeding.

A fondant feeding method and device for beekeeping. The method and apparatus comprising a raised platform having at least one through hole. The raised platform is placed atop the uppermost box in a standard hive body and fondant is placed above the through hole. Optional mesh within the through hole prevents the fondant from sagging. The platform and fondant are surrounded by an enclosing structure and topped with an inner and outer cover such that the device and food are housed within the hive body and protected from the elements. Bees may cluster freely beneath the chamber created by the raised platform to feed and generate heat. The platform shields the cluster from dripping condensation while simultaneously promoting a fondant consistency that is ideal for feeding.

Provided herein are agents, compositions, and methods for agricultural use, e.g., for altering the level, activity, or metabolism of one or more microorganisms resident in a host nematode or arthropod (e.g., honeybee or silkworm), the alteration resulting in an increase in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes an agent (e.g., phage, peptide, small molecule, antibiotic, or combinations thereof) that can alter the host's microbiota in a manner that is beneficial to the host. By promoting favorable microbial levels, microbial activity, microbial metabolism, and/or microbial diversity, the agents described herein may be used to increase the fitness of a variety of beneficial nematodes or arthropods, such as bees and silkworms, utilized in agriculture and commerce.

Provided herein are agents, compositions, and methods for agricultural use, e.g., for altering the level, activity, or metabolism of one or more microorganisms resident in a host nematode or arthropod (e.g., honeybee or silkworm), the alteration resulting in an increase in the fitness of the host. The invention features a composition that includes an agent (e.g., phage, peptide, small molecule, antibiotic, or combinations thereof) that can alter the host's microbiota in a manner that is beneficial to the host. By promoting favorable microbial levels, microbial activity, microbial metabolism, and/or microbial diversity, the agents described herein may be used to increase the fitness of a variety of beneficial nematodes or arthropods, such as bees and silkworms, utilized in agriculture and commerce.

A feeding device for honeybees is described that can be used when open feeding honeybees using a container. The container is filled with liquid syrup. The feeding device can be placed over the liquid syrup. The feeding device includes several feeding holes on the surface of the liquid syrup. The honeybees can land on top of the surface of the feeding device and can drink the liquid syrup by reaching through the feeding holes on the feeding device. The feeding device prevents the honeybees from drowning in the liquid syrup and provides a safe surface for multiple honeybees to land on while open feeding.

A feeding device for honeybees is described that can be used when open feeding honeybees using a container. The container is filled with liquid syrup. The feeding device can be placed over the liquid syrup. The feeding device includes several feeding holes on the surface of the liquid syrup. The honeybees can land on top of the surface of the feeding device and can drink the liquid syrup by reaching through the feeding holes on the feeding device. The feeding device prevents the honeybees from drowning in the liquid syrup and provides a safe surface for multiple honeybees to land on while open feeding.

A method for monitoring bee populations in an ecosystem by monitoring and recording bee visits to a bee feeding apparatus having labyrinthine passages. The bee feeding apparatus is configured to count and monitor bee visits to the feeder and transmit the bee visit data via one or more communication devices, thus providing an estimate of the economic and ecological benefit of a bee population in an ecosystem. The bee feeding apparatus is useful for dispensing water, bee feeding supplements, or treatments to wild or domesticated bees. The circuitous entryway hinders or inhibits other insects such as wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets from entering the innermost regions of the feeder and accessing the bee feeding supplements.

A method for monitoring bee populations in an ecosystem by monitoring and recording bee visits to a bee feeding apparatus having labyrinthine passages. The bee feeding apparatus is configured to count and monitor bee visits to the feeder and transmit the bee visit data via one or more communication devices, thus providing an estimate of the economic and ecological benefit of a bee population in an ecosystem. The bee feeding apparatus is useful for dispensing water, bee feeding supplements, or treatments to wild or domesticated bees. The circuitous entryway hinders or inhibits other insects such as wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets from entering the innermost regions of the feeder and accessing the bee feeding supplements.