Body mass of honey bee drones developing in constant and in changing temperatures

Abstract

AbstractThe body mass of honey bee (Apis mellifera) drones was investigated during a post-capping development under four temperature regimes: constant low temperature (32 °C), constant high temperature (35 °C), low temperature in the early stage followed by high temperature in the later stage, and high temperature in the early stage followed by low temperature in the later stage. The temperature regimes had significant influence on the drones’ body mass. The heaviest drones were obtained when the temperature was high at the early stage and low at the later stage of the post-capping period. The most lightweight drones occurred at constant high temperature. The body mass of drones was changing significantly over their adult life and was highest at the age of five days. After this age, the body mass tended to decrease until the end of life. These results suggest that the highest body mass of drones can be obtained by keeping them during the post-capping development in changing and not constant temperatures.