Comparison of the activity and productivity of Carniolan (Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann) and Yemeni (Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner) subspecies under environmental conditions of the Al-Ahsa oasis of eastern Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

This study was conducted at the apiary of the Agricultural and Veterinary Training and Research Station of King Faisal University in the Al-Ahsa oasis of eastern Saudi Arabia. We performed a comparison between Carniolan (Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann) and Yemeni (Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner) honeybee races to determine the monthly fluctuations in foraging activity, pollen collection, colony growth and honey yield production under the environmental conditions of the Al-Ahsa oasis of eastern Saudi Arabia. We found three peaks in the flight activity of the two races, and the largest peaks occurred during September and October. Compared to Carniolan bee colonies, the performance of Yemeni bee colonies was superior in terms of stored pollen, worker and drone brood rearing, and the adult population size. The Carniolan bee colonies produced 27.77% and 27.50% more honey than the Yemeni bee colonies during the flow seasons of alfalfa and sidir, respectively, with an average increase of 27.64%. It could be concluded that the race of bees is an important factor affecting the activity and productivity of honeybee colonies. The Yemeni bee race produced more pollen, a larger brood and more bees, which exhibited a longer survival. The imported Carniolan bees can be reared in eastern Saudi Arabia, but the Yemeni bee race is still better.