ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF A BREEDING PROGRAMME FOR SETTING UP TWO HIGH PERFORMANCES BEE LINES
This study aimed to evaluate costs, incomes and financial results related to the creation of two Apis Mellifica Carpatica lines, based on a specific Breeding Programme within a closed population. The two beelines have been carefully selected for the bee populations living in two areas of Romania: North Moldavia and South Muntenia. A new selection technology is set up in order to produce high performance queen bees, well adapted to the environmental conditions mainly to picking. Genetic gain will be get by selling the mated selected queens belonging to the two lines to various beekeepers interested to obtain more and high quality bee products.
Laboratory measurement of honey production in the honeybee. 3. Pupal weight of the worker.
SummaryThe relationship between the pupal weight of workers and honey production by their colony was examined for 14 honeybee colonies headed by instrumentally inseminated queens. The mean weight of pink-eyed pupae and colony weight gain during a 19-week test period were significantly correlated (r = 0·680, P<0·01). An analysis of variance on individual pupal weights from progeny of groups of 7 and 9 queens revealed highly significant differences between source colonies (P<0·001). The results support the feasibility of selection of honeybees for increased colony honey production based on the pupal weight of the worker.
Laboratory Measurement of Honey Production in the Honeybee 2. Longevity or Length of Life of Caged Workers
SummaryThe length of life of caged worker honeybees was calculated from data on their deaths, by an adapted probit-analysis computer programme. This provided less subjective and more precise estimates than previous methods.Length of life in cages with a comb was significantly correlated with weight gain of colonies from which the workers came (14 colonies, r = 0·590, P < 0·05). Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences for the length of worker life among source colonies (P < 0·001).