Queen Introduction Research Articles

The Movement of Western Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) Among U.S. States and Territories: History, Benefits, Risks, and Mitigation Strategies

Beekeeping is a cornerstone activity that has led to the human-mediated, global spread of western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) outside their native range of Europe, western Asia, and Africa. The exportation/importation of honey bees (i.e., transfer of honey bees or germplasm between countries) is regulated at the national level in many countries. Honey bees were first imported into the United States in the early 1600’s. Today, honey bee movement (i.e., transport of honey bees among states and territories) is regulated within the United States at the state, territory, and federal levels. At the federal level, honey bees present in the country (in any state or territory) can be moved among states and territories without federal restriction, with the exception of movement to Hawaii. In contrast, regulations at the state and territory levels vary substantially, ranging from no additional regulations beyond those stipulated at the federal level, to strict regulations for the introduction of live colonies, packaged bees, or queens. This variability can lead to inconsistencies in the application of regulations regarding the movement of honey bees among states and territories. In November 2020, we convened a technical working group (TWG), composed of academic and USDA personnel, to review and summarize the (1) history of honey bee importation into/movement within the United States, (2) current regulations regarding honey bee movement and case studies on the application of those regulations, (3) benefits associated with moving honey bees within the United States, (4) risks associated with moving honey bees within the United States, and (5) risk mitigation strategies. This review will be helpful for developing standardized best practices for the safe movement of honey bees between the 48 contiguous states and other states/territories within the United States.

MtDNA Analysis Indicates Human-Induced Temporal Changes of Serbian Honey Bees Diversity.

Simple SummaryThe western honey bee is one of the most economically and ecologically important species currently facing serious challenges in its whole area of distribution. The honey bee is a highly diverse species with about 30 subspecies that are adapted to regional climate factors, vegetation, pests and pathogens. The local populations of honey bees are rapidly changing and their diversity is constantly manipulated by beekeepers through the import of foreign queens, selection and migratory beekeeping. This manipulation may lead to such changes that honey bees lose their ability to thrive in the areas that were previously suitable for their wellbeing. To see how this human interference changed the genetic variability of native honey bee populations from Serbia, we sequenced part of the mitochondrial genome and compared them with published sequences. Our results suggest that human influence significantly changes the natural composition of honey bees in Serbia and that the presence of some previously reported subspecies could not be confirmed.Local populations of Apis mellifera are rapidly changing by modern beekeeping through the introduction of nonnative queens, selection and migratory beekeeping. To assess the genetic diversity of contemporary managed honey bees in Serbia, we sequenced mitochondrial tRNAleu-cox2 intergenic region of 241 worker bees from 46 apiaries at eight localities. Nine haplotypes were observed in our samples, with C2d being the most common and widespread. To evaluate genetic diversity patterns, we compared our data with 1696 sequences from the NCBI GenBank from neighbouring countries and Serbia. All 32 detected haplotypes belonged to the Southeast Europe lineage C, with two newly described haplotypes from our sample. The most frequent haplotype was C2d, followed by C2c and C1a. To distinguish A. m. carnica from A. m. macedonica, both previously reported in Serbia, PCR-RFLP analysis on the COI gene segment of mtDNA was used, and the result showed only the presence of A.m. carnica subspecies. An MDS plot constructed on pairwise FST values showed significant geographical stratification. Our samples are grouped together, but distant from the Serbian dataset from the GenBank. This, with the absence of A. m. macedonica subspecies from its historic range of distribution in southern Serbia, indicates that honey bee populations are changing rapidly due to the anthropogenic influence.

Effect of social structure and introduction history on genetic diversity and differentiation

Invasive species are a global threat to biodiversity, and understanding their history and biology is a major goal of invasion biology. Population-genetic approaches allow insights into these features, as population structure is shaped by factors such as invasion history (number, origin and age of introductions) and life-history traits (e.g., mating system, dispersal capability). We compared the relative importance of these factors by investigating two closely related ants, Tetramorium immigrans and Tetramorium tsushimae, that differ in their social structure and invasion history in North America. We used mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellite alleles to estimate the source and number of introduction events of the two species, and compared genetic structure among native and introduced populations. Genetic diversity of both species was strongly reduced in introduced populations, which also differed genetically from native populations. Genetic differentiation between ranges and the reduction in microsatellite diversity were more severe in the more recently introduced and supercolonial T.tsushimae. However, the loss of mitochondrial haplotype diversity was more pronounced in T.immigrans, which has single-queen colonies and was introduced earlier. Tetramorium immigrans was introduced at least twice from Western Europe to North America and once independently to South America. Its monogyny might have limited genetic diversity per introduction, but new mutations and successive introductions over a long time may have added to the gene pool in the introduced range. Polygyny in T.tsushimae probably facilitated the simultaneous introduction of several queens from a Japanese population to St. Louis, USA. In addition to identifying introduction pathways, our results reveal how social structure can influence the population-genetic consequences of founder events.

PORÓWNANIE TRZECH METOD PODDAWANIA MATEK PSZCZELICH W STACJONARNEJ PASIECE PRODUKCYJNEJ

Three methods of queen introduction to honey producing colonies using a metal one-frame isolator, a round queen's cap, and a standard mailing cage were eva- luated. In total, 60 Apis mellifera carnica queens, naturally inseminated, with verified oviposition, were introduced, 20 per each method. The queens were introduced in two series, 10 in each of them, in the commercial nectar-flow period and in the post-nectar- flow period, during the feeding of bees for winter. The efficiency of queen introduction in high season amounted to 95%, whereas 100% after the post-nectar-flow period. In the method with a metal one-frame isolator, 65% of queens started egg laying to 24 hours after the time of introduction. In the method using a metal round queen's cap, 90% of queens laid eggs to 48 hours after introduction. In the method using a mailing cage, 90% of queens started oviposition between 48-72 hours after introduction.

Variation in honey yield per hive of Africanized bees depending on the introducing time of young queens

ABSTRACT: The objective of this research was to evaluate the honey production per hive and the egg laying rates of queens produced in 2007, 2008 and 2010. Thirty colonies initiated with a queen per colony at each climatic season were used during the three years. The years, started on January (summer), April (autumn), July (winter) and October (spring) and ended 12 months later, at the same periods related to each season of the later years. Honey supply were weighed before and after centrifugation to evaluate the quantity of the stored honey. Colonies with queens introduced during autumn and winter in the three years produced 57.2±6.0kg and 60.7±7.5kg of honey, respectively. In the first year of production activity, after the introduction of queens in the initial colonies, values were significantly higher than those obtained in colonies with queens introduced in the summer (39.3±7.6kg) and spring (41.8±3.7kg). Egg laying rates of queens were higher in spring (98.2±3.9%) and summer (88.4±7%), indicating greater food flow (flowerings) in these seasons compared to the averages in autumn (30.3±8.1%) and winter (24.5±7.2%). Produce and introduce queens of Africanized Apis mellifera in colonies initiated during autumn and winter was found to be economically feasible. Honey production of colonies initiated in these periods were higher and they had greater population stability in times of scarcity of flowerings.

Úspěšné přijetí matky ve včelstvu s matkou

One of the actual elementary biologic principles of the introduction of queen is that the recipient co­lo­ny has to be queenless. We accidentally found that a queen can be accepted also in queenright co­lo­ny with using of the queen excluder. Therefore, we conducted two experiments with the introduction of queen in queenright colony.Under defined conditions of the experiment and with application of the queen excluder as a separator of queens we successfully introduced queen in the queenright colony. This result is discussed in relation to the general principle that a queen should be introduced only in a queenless colony. It is possible that there are some exceptions advert to the existence of some unknown biologic patterns in the honey bee biology and pheromones.

Presence of Nosema ceranae associated with honeybee queen introductions

Microsporidiosis caused by Nosema species is one of the factors threatening the health of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), which is an essential element in agriculture mainly due to its pollination function. The dispersion of this pathogen may be influenced by many factors, including various aspects of beekeeping management such as introduction of queens with different origin. Herein we study the relation of the presence and distribution of Nosema spp. and the replacement of queens in honeybee populations settled on the Atlantic Canary Islands. While Nosema apis has not been detected, an increase of the presence and distribution of Nosema ceranae during the last decade has been observed in parallel with a higher frequency of foreign queens. On the other hand, a reduction of the number of N. ceranae positive colonies was observed on those islands with continued replacement of queens. We suggest that such replacement could help maintaining low rates of Nosema infection, but healthy queens native to these islands should be used in order to conserve local honeybee diversity.

Genetic characterization of the cyprian honey bee (Apis mellifera cypria) based on microsatell ites and mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms

Abstract Honey bee populations from the island of Cyprus were analyzed using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers. A total of 268 colonies were sampled in Cyprus, at six different locations-Kyrenia, Katydata, Flassou, Alabra, Troulloi, and Alassa-covering a wide area of the island. Results showed that the Cyprian honey bee Apis mellifera cypria could be distinguished from other Apis mellifera subspecies based on a „double pattern“ of mitochondrial DNA belonging to the C1 lineage and microsatellite DNA belonging to the O lineage. All populations were homogeneous, except the population from Kyrenia, probably due to the introduction of queens or colonies belonging to the C2, C6, and M7 lineages.

The relationship between Varroa destructor infestation and virgin queen’s acceptance, mating success and onset of oviposition in honeybee colonies

This study was conducted to evaluate the role of level infestation of the Varroa destructormite on virgin queen's acceptance, mating success and pre-oviposition period when their introduced into Carniolan honeybee, Apis mellifera colonies. According to level infestation of mite, the colonies were divided into three groups, each contained 15 colonies, low (5% ± 0.3); moderate (12% ± 0.7) and high (20% ± 0.9). The results showed that the varroa level significant influence virgin queen's acceptance, mating success and somewhat influence their onset of oviposition. The results mentioned that, low infestation level was more accepted and reached mating success 100% than both moderate and high levels (mating success were 91.67% and 80.0%, respectively). Pre-oviposition periods were (8.9 ± 1.05; 11.1 ± 0.89 and 11.6 ± 1.45 days), recorded at low, moderate and high mite infestation levels, respectively. Beekeepers can get an economic benefit from introducing queen bees and improving introduction acceptance and mating success by control varroa mite before queen introduction.

Biodiversity of Apis mellifera populations from Tenerife (Canary Islands) and hybridisation with East European races

The biodiversity of honeybee (Apis mellifera) populations from Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) has been assessed by restriction analysis of a mitochondrial non-coding intergenic region. Seventy-nine colonies were analysed from thirteen apiaries in six populations that have been kept from recent queen introduction. The length and restriction pattern of the PCR amplified products of the intergenic region identified four mitochondrial haplotypes. One of these haplotypes shows the same restriction pattern and composition of the intergenic region carried by honeybees belonging to the African lineage. Two haplotypes are characterised by a particular intergenic region found with high frequency in the Canarian populations. The haplotype representative of the East European honeybee lineage shows a frequency of 35%, thus indicating introduction of queen honeybees. The finding of this haplotype in Canarian honeybees suggests that hybridisation between the endemic Apis mellifera populations and imported bees is occurring in Tenerife.

Queen introduction

In this review the author examines queen introduction, including the reasons for introducing queens, the history of requeening, conditions necessary for success and methods.

Queen Introduction, Acceptance, and Survival in Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies of a Tropical, Africanized Region

The acceptance and survival of queens in honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies located in a tropical region of Mexico were recorded. Four methods of queen introduction were compared: the traditional (Benton mailing-cage), the traditional plus smearing hexadecane on the cage, the traditional plus rubbing the old queen on the cage screen, and the traditional plus smearing vanilla essence on the cage. The highest rate of queen acceptance was obtained with the traditional method, which yielded 80.4% successful introductions. This method differed from the traditional plus hexadecane and from the traditional plus old queen rubbing methods, but was not different from the traditional plus vanilla essence method, Of the original experimental queens, 60.8, 39.6, and 28.1% were still in their hives, 6, 9, and 12 mo after being introduced and accepted in colonies. Queen replacement and queen loss increased over time. Six, 9, and 12 mo after queen introduction, 28.8, 46.2, and 56.5% of the experimental colonies had new queens; whereas in 10.4, 14.2, and 15.4% of them, no queens were found for the same periods, respectively. These results do not support the use of chemicals and queen substances to increase queen acceptance by workers in honey bee colonies. Therefore, it is suggested that beekeepers continue using the traditional methods of queen introduction, until more reliable methods are developed and tested. Results on queen survival suggest that colonies should be requeened every 6-9 mo in tropical, Africanized regions.

Effects of Synthetic, Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Queen Mandibular-Gland Pheromone on Workers in Packages

Packages of worker honey bees, Apis mellifera L., were provided with either queens, one of two doses of synthetic queen mandibular-gland pheromone, or a blank lure, and treated as commercially produced packages. There were no significant differences between queenright and pheromone-treated packages in worker agitation, cluster density, sound production, worker mortality, or colony population 3 wk after hiving. Packages in the blank treatments usually showed statistically significant or qualitative differences from the other three treatments. Queen introduction problems were found with all queenless treatments. Synthetic queen mandibular-gland pheromone can be used as a queen substitute for the shipment and temporary storage of packaged bees, provided that proper care is taken when introducing queens following package shipment.

Worker and queen honey bee behavior during foreign queen introduction

Introductions of foreign queen honey bees (Apis mellifera) to observation colonies containing individually marked workers resulted in three distinct, simultaneously occurring responses: 1) complete passivity; 2) nonaggressive balling behavior; and 3) aggressive balling behavior. Balling persisted for 9.2 h (N=12) and involved approximately 15–20% of the colonies' populations. Participation in a ball was age-dependent, with 91.2% of the balling workers 12 days old or older. Only a small fraction (0.5–2%) of the colonies' workers behaved aggressively, while the remainder displayed nonaggressive balling behavior. Aggressive workers spent significantly more time in a ball than did nonaggressive workers, but there was no difference in age between the two subgroups. Foreign queens were not killed immediately upon introduction and were not continuously attacked throughout the balling period. Balling workers gradually became conditioned to some foreign queens beginning 3–5 h after introduction; the incidence of worker aggression steaily decreased while queen activity increased. Observations of queen behavior during balling do not support the “stress pheromone hypothesis” (Yadava andSmith, 1971).

Communication by Pheromones and other Means inApis FloreaColonies

SummaryObservations are described on the behaviour of foragers after returning to their nest, on communication dances and other forms of communication, Nasonov gland exposure at the nest and scent marking of a source of forage, temperature regulation, colony defence, attractiveness of a queen and of queen pheromones to surrounding workers, queen cell production and queen introduction, and orientation to a nest site and absconding.

Queen Introduction in Push-in Cages and Mailing Cages

SummaryA laying honeybee queen was introduced into each of 18 queenless colonies; 9 queens were in a push-in cage that covered a small area of comb, and 9 in a Benton mailing cage; 3-mm mesh screen was used for all cages. After 3 days, when the queens were released, the mean weight loss was 29 mg and 51 mg respectively for the two groups. The queens laid eggs in the cells covered by the push-in cages, but no eggs were found in the mailing cages. After 10 further days all queens released from push-in cages were accepted and laying, whereas 4 queens from mailing cages had disappeared.

Behavioural Studies on Queen Introduction in the Honeybee 1. Effect of the Age of Workers (From a Colony with a Laying Queen) on their Behaviour towards an Introduced Virgin Queen

SummaryThe age of the workers influenced their behaviour towards a virgin queen introduced to them. Young workers (7 days old) accepted an introduced virgin queen, whereas older workers (14 or 21 days) usually rejected her. Workers 14 days old were more aggressive than those 21 days old. The “aggression score” increased linearly in workers from 8 to 12 days old. The number of pollen collectors also increased linearly throughout this period, but the number of guard bees was greatest at 10 days.

Behavioural Studies on Queen Introduction in the Honeybee 3. Relationship Between Queen Attractiveness to Workers and Worker Aggressiveness towards a Queen

SummaryWorkers in 4 colonies were not more attracted to their own mated laying queen in a cage than to a strange mated laying queen. One of the latter queens, however, had no mandibular glands, and she was significantly less attractive than 3 normal queens. The workers of 2 colonies were significantly less attracted to the four queens than were the 4 other colonies tested. Individual variations in attractiveness of 20 sister laying queens of same age were observed. Also, workers from some colonies were more attracted to the queens than were workers from other colonies. Caged workers accepted their own queen or a queen that showed similar attractiveness, and rejected one of different attractiveness. A direct correlation was found between the weight of queens at emergence and when laying (2 months old). The heavier queens were more attractive to the workers than the lighter ones.

Behavioural Studies on Queen Introduction in the Honeybee. 2. Effect of Age and Storage Conditions of Virgin Queens on their Attractiveness to Workers

SummaryThe response of worker honeybees was observed towards 5 age groups of 10 virgin queens in perspex cages. The introduced queens were most readily accepted at the ages of 7 and 35 days; those aged 14, 21 or 28 days were usually rejected. A multiple regression showed that worker aggression was dependent upon the queen's age and attractiveness, and that attractiveness was the more important factor.The weight loss of virgin queens, stored for 5 days in either queenless or queenright colonies which were fed or unfed, was greatest in queenright unfed colonies. Aggression of groups of 75 caged workers was greatest towards introduced queens which had been stored in queenless unfed colonies.A group of 10 virgin queens stored for 4 days in laboratory cages or in a queenless colony in a flight room lost significantly more weight than 10 queens stored in a queenless colony outdoors. The attractiveness of the queens from the outdoor colony was considerably higher than that of the queens from the other 2 groups.

Increasing bumble bee densities in red clover seed production areas

Abstract Spring introduction of 115, 85, and 114 queens of Bombus ruderatus and B. subterraneus in three successive years resulted in a threefold increase in peak population densities (from 2000 to 6000 bees/ha) at a red clever seed production site in the Mackenzie Country in the South Island of New Zealand. There was no carry-over effect from year to year, and in the season after queen introduction ceased, density dropped to 3000 bees/ha.