engleski

Results of the first generation of Carniolan honey bees (Apis mellifera carnica) selection to Varroa destructor resistant traits

Ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor is a major threat for beekeeping worldwide. As the drugs to fight Varroa mites are losing on its importance in beekeeping, the possible sustainable solution is recognised through the breeding of mite- resistant honey bees. Here we present the results from the first generation of Carniolan bee selection for the recapping behaviour (REC) and supressed mite reproduction (SMR). In 2016, 51 colonies (initial population) were examined and colony with highest REC and SMR was used for grafting of the first generation. In 2018, 27 daughter queens were evaluated for the same traits. The first generation queens had higher REC for 28%, REC of infested brood cells for 33% and SMR for 4%. The high variability of recapping potentially gives the possibility to include this trait in selection strategies. Future research should focus on heritability estimations and reasons how recapping of brood cells reduces the success of varroa reproduction.

Apis mellifera carnica ; Varroa destructor ; suppressed mite reproduction ; recapping ; selection

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