>>2363284>what would it help to monitor the inbound/outbound? isnt the key info on the inside?So.. Activity at the entrance is what I was aiming (because it is easier). I now am focused on developing a tracker so I can know how many left and how many came in.
> isnt the key info on the inside?Yes. But activity at the entrance is a indicator of hive strength (more foragers, taking the trash out etc) or something wrong (lots of activity might be an attack other bees or Lestrimelitta)
Opening the hive to check can only be done every 2 weeks or so because these kinds of bee are very susceptible to phorid fly infestation.
Sting-less bees are "more organized" than your regular bee because they build dedicated brood combs and put their pollen and honey in specialized pots, every time you open the hive, you can rupture the pollen pots and that is like crack for the flies. (you also spread their pheromones around and change the temperature of the hive)
By using a camera you get less precise and quantifiable information about the hive, but you do not need to open the box.
