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Variability of Hygienic Behavior in Bee Apis Mellifera Macedonica

C. Xonis
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Apiculture-Sericulture Laboratory, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece

H. F. E Taj
Department of Entomology, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur,Bangladesh

A. Thrasyvoulou
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Apiculture-Sericulture Laboratory, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The hygienic behavior is an essential factor for the selective improvement of resistant bees against the mite Varroa destructor. Bees with hygienic behavior remove the diseased or dead brood of closed cells. However, the expression of hygienic behavior varies greatly from month to month. In our work we examined the first year, for a period of four months, seven colonies of the Macedonian race (Apis mellifera macedonica) and the second year for a period of three months, 16 colonies of the same race. We found large variation in hygienic behavior each month in 17 of the 23 colonies (74%). Unlike in six of the 23 colonies (26%), in which was found a little variation of hygienic behavior (CV ≤ 15%), there was a positive correlation between the hygienic behavior and mite infestation on bee population. The hygienic behavior explains 32% of the variance of the mite infestation on bee population. Also, it was found that the hygienic behavior in the six colonies not affected by the strength of the colonies.

Keywords: Hygienic behavior, Apis mellifera macedonica, Varroa destructor, Strength, Variation

Location: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Apiculture-Sericulture Laboratory, Thessaloniki 54124, Greece

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Food Safety and Security

Non-commodity: Performance

Objectives:

To infestation by the mite on bee population. Finally we compared the hygienic behavior in relation to the strength of the beehive.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in two periods. The first measurement period (May 2011 - August 2011) we used seven colonies out of twelve that survived the winter, without treatment against the mite. All colonies had sister queens and similar brood and bee population. The hygienic behavior and the percentage of mite infestation in brood and adult bees were calculated. In the second period (May 2012 - July 2012) 16 new colonies were used with queen sisters, which survived the winter after chemical control of mite, of the 19 original colonies, were created in October of 2011. The new colonies were produced by rearing from the hive of the first period which had the highest percentage of hygienic behavior. The 16 colonies were treated with coumaphos to control the mite. After treatment, the infection rate of the mite was zero. In each hive there was calculated hygienic behavior, the brood, the population and the degree of mite infestation. Also only the hygienic behavior, in October and November of 2012, in 10 additional colonies of the apiary was measured. These colonies were headed by naturally mated queens. To estimate the mite infestation of the bee population 3 samples of 100 adult bees, collected from three frames of brood (a total of 300 bees) were placed into a vial containing 25% alcohol solution. After 24 hours the dead bees and mites were counted. To estimate the infestation level of brood, three samples of 200 sealed cells from three frames of brood were opened diagonally and the infestation level was found. The degree of hygienic behavior was performed by freezing (- 20°C) for 24 hours a section of 100 sealed brood cells and repositioned in the original hive. In the frame of the sealed brood there was a cut with a utility knife 120 cells (6 cells x 20 cells) in the shape parallelogram. Among the 120 cells were from 5 to 15 cells which had not been closed combs or were empty. Of the 120, 100 closed cells were selected for measurement of hygienic behavior. On transparent film marked with dots 100 sealed cells. After 48 hours from the repositioning of the freeze-killed brood section, clean cells were counted. The colonies were hygienic if they completely removed an average of 95% of the frozen brood from both comb sections within 48 h. Comparisons of hygienic behavior with the mite infestation rates (brood and population) of bees, and τhe strength of the colonies which were performed by using the statistical analysis software program SPSS 11.5 for Windows.

Source of Information: Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 21 (No 3) 2015, 674-679

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.agrojournal.org/21/03-30.pdf

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

In our study we found that the hygienic behavior is not linked to the strength of the beehive. Even in colonies with low variation in hygienic behavior, which had an average of 6 (± 2) frames of brood and 10 (± 4) frames of population, the change in strength of the colony did not affect the expression of the trait. In conclusion it can be said that the selection of colonies with the trait of hygienic behavior should be based on the stability of repetitions of the measurements. At least three repetitions, either every month or the same month, will be taken in each hive for the final selection of colony with smaller variance (CV ≤ 15%). The hygienic behavior explains 32% of the variance of the mite infestation on bee population and with the grooming behavior may be sufficient as a mechanism of resistance to V. destructor.

Knowledge Management: Journal