author(s)
Amritpal Singh Brar, Harish Kumar Sharma and Kiran Rana

abstract
Experiments were conducted during July 2015 to June 2016 on Apis mellifera L. colonies maintained at Nauni, Solan, in Himachal Pradesh India. Withthe onset of spring experimental colonies gained strength during February (4.2 bee frames/ colony) and March (4.6 bee frames/ colony) when build up flora was in bloom at Nauni, Solan. Thereafter, colonies increased in their average strength to 6.2 and 6.6 bee frames/ colony during June and May 2016, respectively. Average brood area was significantly higher during May, 2016 (3143.6cm²) followed by the average brood area in June (2497.6) and April, 2016. Maxim pollen area (160 cm²) was recorded in the month of April, 2016. Average honey stores in A. mellifera kept at Nauni remained poor during the year. Whereas under migratory conditions, the average colony strength (8 bee frames), brood area (5399.2cm²) and pollen area (520 cm²) increased in March 2016 when honey bees were foraging for nectar and pollen on the Brassica juncea crop at Hisar. To overcome, the status of stationary beekeeping with respect to parameters like bee strength and brood area was obtained as upsurge whereas pollen area and honey store remained poor but looking towards opposite side whereas, migratory beekeeping is more lucrative in terms of food reserves.