Effect of selection and month for creating queen of Italian bee breed (Apis mellifera ligustica spinola) on queenbee quality reared in Dak Lak

Abstract

This experiment was executed in three districts of Dak Lak province: Cum'ga, Krongana, and Krongpac that representing three regions: mountainous, semi-plain and low-lying areas. In each district two bee farms were chosen, one for selection treatment and another for control without selection. Some traits of queen bee were determined to evaluate selection responses and to establish the most suitable time for creating queen bees. Results showed that in Dak Lak province selection increased the most body weight, number of egg tubes and egg-laying of queen bees by 1.84 mg; 5.50 egg tubes and 64.14 eggs respectively in comparision with the control.Queen bees created in July, October and November had higher body weight, a larger number of egg tubes and better egg-laying capabilities than queen bees created in June, August and September (P<0.001). Selection in July, August and September, creating queen bees in July, October and November lead to the best reponses.