Effects of rearing method on some morphological and reproductive organ characteristics of queen honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate some of the morphological and reproductive characteristics of the queen honey bees rearing from emergency queen cells and larvae grafting method. The weight at the emergence of queens reared from one-day larvae was found to be higher than other groups (P <0.05). Morphological characteristics of queens according to rearing method showed significant differences of head width, forewing length and forewing width (P <0.05), whereas other morphological characteristics were found similar in different queen groups. No significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of cell length and width (P > 0.05). Wet ovary weights of the queens were weighed at 45, 51, and 49 mg rearing from emergency cells, 1-day-old and 2-day-old larvae, respectively. The number of ovarioles and spermatheca diameter of queens were found to be 268 and 1.14 mm, 296 and 1.21 mm, 285, and 1.16 mm rearing from emergency cells, 1-day-old and 2-day-old larvae, respectively (P <0.05). Consequently, the morphological and reproductive characteristics of queens reared from one-day-old larvae have higher values. According to the results of the study, although some morphological and reproductive features of local queens have low values, their importance should not be ignored in the sustainable future of beekeeping.