Technological methods of limiting the reproductive activity of queen bees in conditions of honey collection

Abstract

The study of the biological characteristics of the development of bee colonies, the ethology of bees, the influence of the various factors on their life activities contributes to the development and implementation of new highly efective technologies of keeping and reproduction. Of particular interest is the study of the stimulating efect of diferent numbers of brood of diferent ages in the nest of a bee colony on the trophic connections of honey bees with the biological diversity of entomophilous plants, the change in physiological characteristics of diferent generations of bees in modern changing natural and climatic conditions of unstable ecotypes. This paper presents the data of experimental studies on the influence on the biological potential of bee colonies of various technological methods of regulating the reproductive activity of queen bees. The work aims to study the technological methods of regulating the reproductive activity of queen bees. The following research methods were used: zootechnical (selection of groups of analogues, signs of bee purebredness, brood accounting), analytical (analysis of literature data and research results) and statistical. Biometric data processing was carried out on a PC using MS Excel software with built-in statistical functions. Results. As a result of the study, it was found that bee families, where the reproductive activity of queen bees was limited by the use of an isolation cage, had the highest productivity indicators. It has been proved that prolonged (15 days or more) restriction of the reproductive activity of queen bees negatively afects the strength of bee colonies and their preparation for a prolonged state of hypobiosis. Conclusions. It was found that there is a complex relationship between brood rearing by bee colonies and their productivity. The absence of brood has led to an increase in the supply of nectar only for 12-15 days. Currently, due to the lack of replenishment with young bees, bee colonies have lost their strength and weakened. It has been proven that the most efective technological method of regulating the reproductive activity of queen bees in hull hives is the use of dividing grids and the mandatory presence of brood of diferent ages. For the efective use of honey collection, it is important not only to increase the maximum number of bees before the start of the main honey collection, but also to limit the feeding of a large number of larvae in time when they are no longer needed. During a short-term honey collection, it is necessary to limit the reproductive activity of the queen bee, and during the long one, it should be limited only in the second half of honey collection. Key words: bee colony, Ukrainian steppe breed, isolation, brood, reproductive activity, honey collection, honey productivity.