This research aimed to investigate whether Apis mellifera L. bees produce honey in commercial plantations of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) or not. This research was carried out in the Núcleo de Produção Comunitária Santa Clara, Canto do Buriti, Piauí, Brazil. Two apiaries of six colonies each were installed in two castor bean plots. The first plot was kept free of weeds (clean plot) while the other not (dirty area), presenting herbaceous vegetation between the castor bean rows. Empty supers were given to the colonies as they were required and weighted every seven days afterwards until the end of the experiment 49 days later. There was honey production in all colonies, but honey production did not differ (P>0.05) between apiaries at any weighing. The clean plot produced an average of 18.8±4.0kg honey/colony while the dirty area reached 23.5±3.0. It was concluded that Apis mellifera L. produce and store honey in castor bean cropping areas.
honey bee; castor bean; castor bean honey; beekeeping potential
