Introduction and considerations of using laboratory cages in bee experiments

Honey bee colonies can be kept and studied in smaller spaces than the hive called laboratory cages. The use of laboratory cages in honey bee studies can lead to innovative solutions to solve problems related to honey bee production and health due to the control of test conditions. In laboratory cages, if enough food is provided, the colony conditions can be made as similar as possible to the colony conditions in natural conditions. Laboratory cages are used for various purposes, and the cost of testing is greatly reduced due to keeping a smaller colony instead of using a complete colony in the field, and it is possible to perform multiple tests in a short period. The cage system is feasible and economical and has many advantages, but it should be noted that the type of laboratory cage depends on the purpose of the study and the size of the cage and the equipment needed to build the cage depends on the variables examined in the experiment.