Effect of Comb Size on Population Growth of Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies

Abstract

Population growth was compared in 21 colonies of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., during the period of maximal population growth in Louisiana. Each colony began with 1.25 kg of bees, no brood, and 40 liters of hive space (measured empty). Colonies differed in comb size (13 by 19, 13 by 43, 20 by 43, or 26 by 43 cm), but each hive had the same comb surface area (1.1 m2). Bees were put into hives on 12 March, queens were released 15 March, and hives were expanded to 1.4 m2 of comb surface area and 48 liters on 10 April. Colonies with the largest combs produced more brood and had more adult workers on 13 May than colonies with the two smallest combs. At the end of the experiment, mean adult populations were 19,300, 22,900, 23,600, and 28,400 in colonies with the smallest to largest combs, respectively. A second experiment compared comb effects versus queen effects by measuring the amount of brood produced in 10 d by colonies with instrumentally inseminated or naturally mated queens on either the largest or smallest comb sizes. Comb effects were significant, queen effects were not. Small combs reduced brood production and diminished differences among queens; therefore, one must use large combs when evaluating queen fecundity.