Preliminary results of climate effect on phenology of honeydew producing insects of fir trees and the production of fir honey in Evritania - Greece

In a 3-year program (2019-2021) the production of fir honey in the prefecture of Evritania, the most mountainous prefecture of Greece, was studied. The production of fir honey is influenced by the condition of the tree, the phenology of the honeydew producing insect, the beekeeper's management of bee colonies, while the main regulator is the weather conditions. The weather conditions of each year affect not only honey production, but also the well-being of bee colonies and the survival of honeydew producing insects. Our effort is to correlate the biological cycle of the insect, its honeydew secretion and the development of beehives with climatic factors, in order to isolate the most critical of them in honey production. A specific identification of these impacts is required, so that appropriate solutions can be proposed in order to safeguard beekeeping activity in Evritania in relation to the environmental changes.