The present invention provides for a probiotic composition for enhancing a subject's, such as an insect's, resistance to a pesticide comprising: (a) a microorganism capable of expressing one or more enzymes for metabolizing the pesticide, and (b) at least one feed ingredient for a subject. The present invention also provides for a method for enhancing a subject's, such as an insect's, resistance to a pesticide comprising administering to a subject the probiotic composition.

A bee feeding apparatus having labyrinthine passages. The 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 bee feeding apparatus having labyrinthine passages. The 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.

The invention relates to beekeeping. The claimed beehive comprises a hive body (1) having side walls (2, 3), a front wall (4), a rear wall (5), a bottom (6), and internally mounted trapezoidal frames (7); a cover (8) having a ceiling (9); and at least one bee entrance (14) having a flight board (15), said bee entrance being arranged in the wall of the hive body (1). The hive body (1) of the hive comprises at least three compartments, wherein a first compartment (10) comprises frames (7) that are arranged vertically at the same level, with the longer trapezoid base facing upward; a second compartment (11) is arranged higher than the first compartment (10) and comprises the same arrangement of vertical frames (7); and a third compartment (12) comprises frames (7) arranged vertically at different heights which gradually increase from one to the next within the third compartment, with the longer trapezoid base facing upward; wherein the third compartment (12) is arranged between the first compartment (10) and the second compartment (11) such that the height at which the frames (7) are positioned therein increases from the first compartment to the second compartment. The invention provides integration between a bee colony cluster and food reserves at all developmental stages, while also improving honey quality.

An artificially-created honey-yielding environment is established, including a hive and an associated flora cell, within which first and second plant populations cohabit. Within the cell, honey-producing insects from the hive are permitted to forage. One of the populations has been artificially introduced. The other may be indigenous to the cell. The first plant population serves as a primary source of nectar which yields bioactive honey and the second serves as a source of a nutrient, such as protein, which is not abundantly available from the first species at a nutritionally adequate level for sustaining the metabolism and energy of the foraging honey-producing insects for returning to the hive. The first flora population may be a Leptospermum species. An example of the second is Corymbia maculata.

An artificially-created honey-yielding environment is established, including a hive and an associated flora cell, within which first and second plant populations cohabit. Within the cell, honey-producing insects from the hive are permitted to forage. One of the populations has been artificially introduced. The other may be indigenous to the cell. The first plant population serves as a primary source of nectar which yields bioactive honey and the second serves as a source of a nutrient, such as protein, which is not abundantly available from the first species at a nutritionally adequate level for sustaining the metabolism and energy of the foraging honey-producing insects for returning to the hive. The first flora population may be a Leptospermum species. An example of the second is Corymbia maculata.

A beehive system includes a main hive body with opposed, insulated side walls having access ports formed respectively therein. A vent assembly fits into an access port, and includes a valve case with an outer housing, a coaxial core portion, and plural opposed panels between the outer housing and the core portion, with openings formed between the panels. A pivotally movable valve member includes a core portion and two or more blades attached to and extending outwardly from the core potion. The valve member cooperates with the valve case to regulate air flow through the vent assembly. A bimetallic coil interconnects the valve case and the valve member, and a perforated screen cover is attached to the valve case to allow air flow therethrough. A kit of components usable to retrofit an existing hive, and a method of retrofitting an existing beehive to add a vent thereto, are also disclosed.

A beehive system includes a main hive body with opposed, insulated side walls having access ports formed respectively therein. A vent assembly fits into an access port, and includes a valve case with an outer housing, a coaxial core portion, and plural opposed panels between the outer housing and the core portion, with openings formed between the panels. A pivotally movable valve member includes a core portion and two or more blades attached to and extending outwardly from the core potion. The valve member cooperates with the valve case to regulate air flow through the vent assembly. A bimetallic coil interconnects the valve case and the valve member, and a perforated screen cover is attached to the valve case to allow air flow therethrough. A kit of components usable to retrofit an existing hive, and a method of retrofitting an existing beehive to add a vent thereto, are also disclosed.

A cover assembly for covering a container of pollen substitute comprises a lid member for engaging the container of pollen substitute. The lid member has an opening for bees to access the container contents and a removable cap element covers the lid member opening to divert water from entering the lid member opening while leaving a gap for bees to enter between the cap element and the lid member. A combination nectar feeder and pollen feeder is also provided. The cover assembly may be configured with ornamental shapes to approximate the design of a flower.

A cover assembly for covering a container of pollen substitute comprises a lid member for engaging the container of pollen substitute. The lid member has an opening for bees to access the container contents and a removable cap element covers the lid member opening to divert water from entering the lid member opening while leaving a gap for bees to enter between the cap element and the lid member. A combination nectar feeder and pollen feeder is also provided. The cover assembly may be configured with ornamental shapes to approximate the design of a flower.