مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - The Effects of Different Colony Population Sized Quennright Queenless Starting Colonies and Rearing Season on Queen Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Quality and Rearing Parameters

Abstract :

In this study, queens were reared using the starting colonies with several type and colony strength in June-September, 2006. The Doolittle larvae grafting method was used to rear the queens. The larvae acceptance rates, hatching ratios, live weight before after mating, duration period before mating, mating performance and diameter of spermatecha were determined. The effects of production period, the status and power of starting colonies (with or without queen) and the effect of larva acceptance power of starting colonies on the quality of queens were investigated. The effect of production period on larvae acceptance rate, hatching performance, live weight before mating, duration period before mating, mating performance, live weight after mating and dimensions of spermateka was important (P 0,01). The duration period before mating was shorter for queens produced in June than that of July and August. The larva acceptance rate, hatching performance, live weight before mating, duration period before mating, mating performance, live weight after mating and dimensions of spermateka were higher in June than those obtained in July and August. The effect of status of starting colonies (with or without queen) on live weight after mating was statistically significant (P 0, 05). The effect of differences in strength of starting colonies on larva acceptance rate and the live weight of bees produced in the such colonies was also statistically significant (P 0.01). The live weights of queens produced in the strong colonies and queenless were greater as compared to the others. The hive type was not found significant on larva acceptance rate; however, the larva acceptance rate obtained in stronger colonies was greater as compared to the others.