Analysis of comb-gnawing behavior in Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Author:

Meng Qingxin1,Huang Rong1,Li Hui1,Gong Xueyang1,Yue Dan1,Jiang Wutao1,Tian Yakai1ORCID,Dong Kun1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Yunnan Provincial Engineering and Research Center for Sustainable Utilization of Honeybee Resources, Eastern Bee Research Institute, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University , Kunming 650201 , China

Abstract

Abstract Apis cerana cerana exhibits a prominent biological trait known as comb gnawing. In this study, gnawed combs from colonies during different seasons were collected, investigating the comb age and locations of gnawing. Patterns of comb gnawing were recorded, and the effects of 2 factors, namely, comb type and season, on the mass of wax residues and the gnawed surface area were measured. The results revealed that A. c. cerana predominantly gnaws combs that have been used for over 6 months, with gnawing concentrated in the brood-rearing area. In the first 3 seasons, significantly higher masses of wax residues and larger gnawed surface areas were found in greater wax moth larvae (GWML)-infested combs compared to newly built and old combs. Also, there were significantly higher masses and areas gnawed by A. c. cerana in old combs compared to newly built combs in all 4 seasons. Compared to other seasons, it exhibited significantly higher masses and areas resulting from comb-gnawing in newly built or old combs in winter. However, there were no significant differences in the masses of wax residues and surface areas gnawed in GWML-infested combs across the first 3 seasons. In conclusion, this study documented the impact of comb type and season on the comb-gnawing behavior of A. c. cerana, contributing to beekeeping management practices and the current understanding of bee biology.

Funder

National Natural Science Foundation of China

China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA

Reserve Talents Training Program for Young and Middle-aged Academic and Technical Leaders in Yunnan

Scientific Research Fund Project of Yunnan Provincial Department of Education

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Reference45 articles.

1. A review of impacts of temperature and relative humidity on various activities of honey bees;Abou-Shaara,2017

2. The effects of wax comb age on some morphometrics characteristics of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) workers;Alfalah;Persian Gulf Crop Protect,2012

3. Effects of sublethal doses of glyphosate on honeybee navigation;Balbuena,2015

4. A new device for continuous temperature measurement in brood cells of honeybees (Apis mellifera);Becher;Apidologie,2009

5. Effects of comb age on honey bee colony growth and brood survivorship;Berry,2001

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3