ARS | Publication request: HYGIENIC BEHAVIOR BY HONEY BEES FROM FAR-EASTERN RUSSIA

Submitted to: American Bee Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: August 16, 2001
Publication Date: January 1, 2002
Citation: DEGUZMAN, L.I., RINDERER, T.E., STELZER, J.A., BEAMAN, G.D., DELATTE, G.T., HARPER, C., HYGIENIC BEHAVIOR BY HONEY BEES FROM FAR-EASTERN RUSSIA, AMERICAN BEE, JOURNAL, 2002, VOL. 142, pgs. 58-60, EDITION #1.

Interpretive Summary: Hygienic behavior contributes to the overall disease resistance of honey bee colonies. It is the detection and removal of diseased or mite-infested brood from a colony. This study evaluated the hygienic behavior of domestic and ARS Primorky honey bees. The Primorsky honey bees are found to be more hygienic than the domestic colonies. This observation suggests that the overall disease and pest resistance of Primorsky bees is quite good. The use of Primorsky bees will enhance the profitability of commercial beekeeping by reducing disease control costs.

Technical Abstract: The rate of dead bee removal by Primorsky and domestic honey bees was compared using the liquid nitrogen technique. Results from two assays showed that Primorsky honey bees consistently removed more dead brood than the domestic colonies. For both assays, 41% of the Primorsky honey bee colonies tested were considered hygienic (greater than or equal to 95% dead bee removal). Only 21% of the domestic colonies showed the hygienic trait. No correlation between removal rate and adult bee population was observed.