engleski

The influence of the drones to the varroa tolerability

Carnica (Apis mellifera carnica) breeder queens from German and Austrian selection programs regarding Varroa tolerance criteria were used as mother queens for drone colonies at the Unije Island mating station. Drone colonies were kept under moderate varroa pressure. Drone combs were introduced to the colonies to stimulate drone rearing. An experimental apiary with 24 colonies was established during June 2008 in continental Croatia. All colonies have started with sister queens from a local Carnica breeder mated in differential locations. 12 queens were mated at the conventional mating station and 12 queens at the varroa tolerance mating station on the island Unije. The goal of this experiment is to find out influence of pre-selected drones on tolerability traits of colonies in conventional conditions. Colony strength and varroa infestation were observed and measured at the experimental apiary. During experimental period colonies with queens mated on the Island of Unije had higher colony strength. Average varroa infestation of colonies with queens from conventional mating was 3, 65% with range from 1, 36 to 11, 92%, while at colonies with queens mated at the Island of Unije, average infestation was 4, 43% with range from 1, 50 to 10, 57%. There were no statistically significant differences in the colony strength and infestation levels between tested colonies.

Apis mellifera carnica; Varroa destructor; queens; varroa tolerability

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