Effect of Bar Level and Queen Cells Position within Grafted Frame on the Quality of Produced Apis mellifera carnica Queen in Manzala Region

Abstract

The variations exist in acceptance percentage of grafted larvae, emergence percentage and weight of virgin queens according to different grafted bar level and queen cells position of local carniolan race (Apis mellifera carnica) in Manzala region were investigated. No significant differences were found in the acceptance percentage, emergence percentage and weight of virgin queen for the three bar levels. However, the acceptance percentage was positively affected by minimum temperature for the top bar. The weight of virgin queens was positively affected by the change in minimum temperature on all bar levels. On the other hand, the tested parameters were significantly increased on the middle position of bar than on the edge. In spite of the percentages of acceptance and queen emergence were positively affected by the ambient temperatures elements they were more pronounced factors on the weight of emerged queens on the edge position.

Queen cells acceptance rate and royal jelly production in worker honey bees of two Apis mellifera races

“…Various biotic and abiotic factors affect the quantity and quality of RJ [ 25 – 28 ]. The most important factors are honey bee races [ 23 , 29 ], colony type, i.e., queen-less or queenright [ 30 ], transfer age of the larvae [ 31 ], number of transfer queen cell cup [ 30 , 32 ], grafting techniques [ 33 ], grafting bar level and queen cell position [ 34 , 35 ], harvesting interval [ 36 ], feeding source [ 37 – 39 ] and seasons [ 25 , 35 , 40 ]. For instance, when bees are fed on sugar syrup, it causes significant changes in the amount and structure of vital components of RJ such as amino acids, carbohydrates and vitamins [ 41 ].…”

Evaluation of queen cell acceptance and royal jelly production between hygienic and non-hygienic honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies

“…The amount and quality of RJ production are affected by a variety of biotic and abiotic variables [ 30 ]. The most important among them are; honey bee races [ 28 , 31 ], whether the colony is queenless or queenright [ 32 ], larval age [ 33 ], types of queen cell cups [ 34 ], grafting methods [ 35 ], queen cell position on grafting bar [ 36 , 37 ], harvesting time [ 38 ], nutritional source [ 21 , 39 , 40 ], season and, also colony strength [ 37 , 41 ]. When bees feed sugar syrup, for example, the quantity and structure of essential RJ ingredients including amino acids, carbohydrates, and vitamins are significantly altered [ 42 ].…”