PREPARATORY STAGES OF ESTABLISHING A TRUE-BRED EXPANSE OF CARPATHIAN BEES WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF KHUST DISTRICT IN THE TRANSCARPATHIAN REGION

Abstract

Introduction. Aboriginal bees in the Ukrainian Carpathians have long been under non-systematic cross-breeding with foreign breeds. Therefore, it is only an essential task to continue selecting, preserving and multiplying true-bred types of local bees. Here it will be important to use results obtained for establishing entire expanses of true-bred Carpathian bees. The work objective is to study and substantiate the practicability of establishing a continuous expanse of true-bred Carpathian bees within a separated isolated natural mountainous area in Khust district. Study material and methodology. The activities were performed within the territory of Kolochava United Territory Community and at local bee-gardens. Inspection and evaluation of the area was completed, and visual examination of bee colonies. Attention was paid to coloring zooids, the bees’ behavior and honey sealing. Samples were selected from worker-bees for laboratory examination of their main morphological features. Breed-defining exterior features were studied under classic methods. Statistical processing was performed under N.Plokhinskiy’s method. Research results and discussion. In 2020, several visits were done to highlands in Transcarpathian region, in order to select the location for the objectives set. Taking into account the geography of the location, it was decided to arrange a scientific and monitoring expedition to Kolochava United Territory Community in Khust district, to the villages of Kolochava, Nehrovets, Synevier, Synevierska Poliana, Svoboda, located in the valley of the Tereblia River. Research of the area specified above showed that it features a relative natural isolation and is a natural environment for existing for autochthone bees. The selected location has around 400 bee families that may serve as the basis for achieving the objective set. Calculation of variability of values in the indicators under study showed that the cubital index for bees is an average 2.67±0.039, and the discoidal displacement is a 94.1% positive and 2.6% negative cases. Conclusions and prospects for further research. Within the scheduled expedition operational time, a place was defined for performing planned activities in the highlands of Kolochava United Territory Community in Khust District. The actual state of honey craft was studied for a series of settlements within the valley of the Tereblia River. Some 8% of bee families were discovered, to serve as the basis for establishing a continuous expanse of true-bred Carpathian bees.