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Research Article

Comparison of three methods of queen bee introduction in a stationary commercial apiary

Dariusz Karwan

Maja Family-run Apiary, Młynary 1, 74–500 Chojna, Poland

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 15(1), 2016, 31‒40
2. DOI: 10.21005/asp.2016.15.1.03

Abstract. 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 evaluated. 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.

Keywords: Apis mellifera, queen bee, replacement, oviposition