Biometrical Studies on the Egyptian Honeybee

Abstract

SUMMARYBiometrical data were obtained for samples of Egyptian honeybee workers collected from 14 governorates in Egypt. Mean values were: tongue length 5·65 ± 0·009 mm.; forewing length 8·36 ± 0·007 mm. and width 2·84 ± 0·003 mm.; cubital index 2·46 ± 0·016; number of hooks on hind wing 21·10 ± 0·001; first hind tarsal joint length 2·21 ± 0·005 mm. and width 1·09 ± 0·005 mm.; tomentum index 0·26 ± 0·022; first wax-gland length 1·30 ± 0·003 mm. and width 1·96 ± 0·004 mm.Workers are smaller than those of European races, and show different colour characteristics. The worker abdomen is covered with greyish-white hairs, which also cover most of the rest of the body. This character is important since it can be used to indicate Egyptian ancestry in hybrid bees.The Egyptian honeybee in Egypt can be considered as a pure race.