Insemination of bee queens with the use of an electric ejaculator for drone

Abstract

Intensive crop production involves the widespread use of honeybees as organized pollinators. In this regard, there is a need to have a large number of bee colonies for pollination by the beginning of flowering (in May-June) of entomophilous agricultural crops in a short time. Providing a sufficient number of bees is difficult when the queen bees naturally fly around, even if they are reared in nursing families due to weather conditions (wind, low temperature, etc.). To achieve this goal, instrumental insemination of queen bees is used. The effectiveness of this technique and the productivity of a specialist are directly dependent on the technical perfection of the equipment used. In instrumental insemination, the collection of semen from drones is laborious. We have developed at the level of the invention (patent of the Russian Federation No. 2635691, application No. 2017100773 dated 01/10/2017) and tested a stimulator for eversion of the endophallus. The electric ejaculator is an alternating current source, the strength of which does not exceed 5 μA with the ability to regulate the output voltage from 0 to 220 V. Research carried out in the apiary of the Small Innovative Enterprise of the Kuban State Autonomous Institution “ZHIVPROM” Reduces operator time by 60%. Comparative analysis of the sperm quality of drones at the age of 10,17,24 days shows that drones of the age of 24 days produce better quality sperm. Its indicators are the best concentration, density and mobility up to 90%. The study of the egg production of queen bees by laying eggs indicates that the maximum egg production is achieved with instrumental insemination using an electric current for everting the endophalus and collecting sperm. The use of an electric ejaculator with a separately removed handle reduces the time for obtaining drone seed and allows the operator to independently select it without involving an assistant, which reduces labor costs and increases the efficiency of conducting the industry.