Preference and Suitability of Nigerian Grown Gmelina arborea Linn. Roxb. and Vitex doniana Sweet Woods for Beekeeping in Imeko, Nigeria

It has been observed that Apis mellifera native to tropical Africa has special preferential nesting behaviour for white and yellow woods' cavities in Nigeria. In contrast, the use of brown coloured wood like Milicia excelsa for beekeeping on the ground of its durability has been recommended in Ghana. In response to this, the study investigated the suitability of one exotic white coloured wood species (Gmelina arborea), one indigenous white coloured wood species (Vitex doniana) and one indigenous brown coloured wood species (Erythrophleum suaveolens) for beekeeping in Imeko between February, 2009 and April, 2012. A total of 9 hives comprising 3 each of Erythrophleum suaveolens, Gmelina arborea and Vitex doniana woods were placed at three different sites (1,2,3) within Nazareth High School Compound Imeko. At each site, 3 hives placed comprised the mixture of the 3 wood species' hives. Colonisation of hives made of G. arborea and V. doniana woods within two months of placement at the 3 sites were observed. Honeybees colonized E. suaveolens wood hive at site 3 and absconded in the same month of colonisation (October, 2010). Quantitative analysis of the wood samples' extracts indicated the presence of 39.62mg/g total alkaloids, 1.38mg/g total flavonoids, 84.19mg/g total phenol, 366.52mg/g total Saponins and 101.18mg/g total tannins in E. suaveolens; 35.19mg/g total alkaloids, 1.24mg/g total flavonoids, 3.98mg/g total phenol, 5.69mg/g total Saponins and 4.49mg/g total tannins in G. arborea; and 4.52mg/g total alkaloids, 0.42mg/g total flavonoids, 1.00mg/g total phenol, 0.66mg/g total Saponins and 1.59mg/g total tannins in V. doniana. The results suggested that colour and non-structural chemical composition might be involved in choice and colonisation of cavities (hives) by honeybees. Colonisations were reliably stable in white wood hives within the 3 sites with quantifiable honey production. The colonisations choice of white woods' hives and rejection of brown wood hives confirmed the suitability of G. arborea and V. doniana woods and non-suitability of E. suaveo- lens wood for beekeeping in Nigeria.