Vol.53 No.1 2009 Content Adam Roman, Zofia Gładysz - Aggressive reaction level of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) to smell and knock 5 Mirosława Chwil, Elżebieta Weryszko-Chmielewska - Characteristics of nectaries and nectar in flowers of two Rhododendron species 17 Anna Wróblewska - Study on flowering biology and seed sets of selected ornamental species from the Malvaceae family 29 Wit Chmielewski - Pollen pellets as a medium for culture of mites Suidasia pontifica (Oud.) (Acarina, Suidasiidae) 37 Regina Frączek, Krystyna Żółtowska, Zbigniew Lipiński - The activity of nineteen hydrolases in extracts from Varroa destructor and in hemolymph of Apis mellifera carnica worker bees 43 Shailja Mishra, R. C. Sihag - Efficacy of some chemicals as repellents against two honey bee species, Apis mellifera L. and Apis florea F. in semi-field trials 53 Fehmi Gurel, Ayhan Gosterit - The suitability of native Bombus terrestris dalmatinus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) queen for mass rearing 67 Wit Chmielewski - Phoretic mites (Acarina) on earwigs, Forficula auricularia L. (Insecta, Dermaptera), found in apiaries 75 Piotr Semkiw, Wojciech Skowronek, Piotr Skubida, Helena Rybak-Chmielewska, Teresa Szczęsna - Changes on saccharide composition of honey during ripening under controlled conditions 81 Beata Panasiuk, Wojciech Skowronek, Dariusz Gerula - Effect of period of the season and environmental conditions on rate of cleaning cells with dead brood 95 AGGRESSIVE REACTION LEVEL OF THE HONEYBEE (Apis mellifera L.) TO SMELL AND KNOCK Adam Roman, Zofia Gładysz Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences Department of Animal Hygiene and Environment Chełmońskiego 38C, 51-630 Wrocław, Poland e-mail: adam.roman@up.wroc.pl Received 17 October 2008; accepted 12 January 2009 Summary The purpose of this study was to determine aggressive reactions of bees to smells and knock stimuli. Here knock refers to a knock with a metal bar on the exit of the beehive generating trembling and sound. The study was held from April 2006 to August 2006 at the stationary apiary on 8 bees colonies. They were a cross of Carniolan bee and a local bee. The research was carried out 12 times in each colony. Each time 2 stimuli were used: smell and the knock stimuli. Three different smells were used - strong perfume, venom of the poison sac of a few worker bees of the same colony, and venom of the worker bees of the other colony. One knock stimulus was used: 3 knocks with a metal bar on the exit of the beehive. After each stimulus was applied the bees attacking the cardboard boxes placed near the exit were counted. The bee count was taken after 15, 30 and 60 seconds. The aggression level was represented in points. The points represented the amount of bees attacking the given bait. 1 point was for 0-19 bees, 2 points for 20-39 bees, 3 points for 40-69 bees and 4 points for over 70 bees. The abundance of pollen and nectar flow, working activity of bees, colony strength and weather conditions were determined as well. The bee reaction to smell was slow. After 60 seconds it reached low level of 1.3-1.4 points. No one smell appeared to be a strong stimulus of the aggressive reaction. Stronger aggressive reactions were observed after applying the knock stimulus. The reactions reached 1.9 point (2.9 maximum). In spring or during an abundant nectar flow, the level of aggressive reactions in bee colonies were low (below 1.7 point). In a poor nectar flow period bees were more aggressive (2.4-2.5 points), and their reaction time was shortened to 15-30 seconds. High temperature and low relative humidity caused acceleration of stimuli reactions. The increase in air humidity resulted in acceleration and in an increase of bee aggression. No statistically significant differences were observed in bee reactions to smell stimuli. Statistically significant differences on pŁ0.01 level were observed when describing bee reactions to smell and knock stimuli, and when describing the level of reactions to knock stimulus in different time ranges. Keywords: honey bee, aggression, activity, aromatic stimuli, sonic-trembling stimuli. Full text PDF Back to the top CHARACTERISTICS OF NECTARIES AND NECTAR IN FLOWERS OF TWO RHODODENDRON SPECIES Mirosława Chwil, Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska Department of Botany, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland e-mail: miroslawa.chwil@ar.lublin.pl Received 27 October 2008; accepted 19 May 2009 Summary The morphology of nectaries and nectar secretion in flowers of Rhododendron catawbiense and R. japonicum were compared. The structure of the secretory epidermis was analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The weight of nectar and percentage of sugar content in nectar as well as the efficiency of different sugars from 10 flowers of the studied taxa were determined. The nectaries in flowers of Rhododendron catawbiense were larger and they formed more distinctive protuberances at the base of the ovary than in R. japonicum. The surface of the nectaries of both species was striated at places and their upper part was covered with densely growing non-glandular trichomes. The stomata in R. catawbiense were distributed individually and evenly over the whole surface of the nectary, whereas in R. japonicum they occurred in small clusters or formed densely packed stomatal fields. The beginning of nectar secretion was observed already at the opening bud stage. Nectar was secreted by stomata which were at different growth stages throughout the whole secretion period. A positive correlation was found between nectary size and nectar production. The average weight of nectar secreted throughout the lifespan of the flower of R. catawbiense was 16.6 mg, whereas in R. japonicum it was 6.3mg. The sugar content in nectar reached 63% and 37%, respectively. The efficiency of the various sugars from R. catawbiense was 10.4 mg/flower, 4.5 times higher than in R. japonicum (2.4 mg/flower). Keywords: nectary, morphology, SEM, nectar secretion, Rhododendron catawbiense, R. japonicum. Full text PDF Back to the top STUDY ON FLOWERING BIOLOGY AND SEED SETS OF SELECTED ORNAMENTAL SPECIES FROM THE MALVACEAE FAMILY Anna Wróblewska Department of Botany, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland. E-mail: anna.wroblewska@up.lublin.pl Received 17 November 2008; accepted 20 May 2009 Summary The investigations were carried out at the Botany Department of the Life Sciences University in Lublin, Poland (51° 14' N 22° 34' E) in the years 1992-2004. The objects of the study were four ornamental, annual species of the Malvaceae family. Each were examined during three vegetation seasons. The species were: Alcea rosea L., Malope trifida Cav., Malva mauritiana L. and Malva moschata L. The observations were focused on the time and length of the flowering period. The observations were focused, as well, on some morphological features of the flowers and seed sets when allowed free access by pollinating insects, and when the flowers were isolated. In the climatic conditions of Lublin, the flowering period of the investigated species started in June or early July (Malope trifida) and lasted till late September (10.5-15.5 weeks). A single flower blooms for 2.5-5.5 days. During the vegetative season, one plant developed an average of 243-1374 flowers. The flowers consist of numerous stamens forming a staminal tube which encloses the gynoecium. Depending on the species, one flower develops an average of from 62.5 (Malva moschata) to 309.1 (Alcea rosea) stamens. The number of ovules in one flower fluctuated between 9.7 (Malva mauritiana) to 54.3 (Malope trifida). Seed setting was strictly dependent on insect pollination. When allowed free access by pollinating enthomofauna, the flowers of the examined malvaceous developed 70.5-89.7% of seeds. In isolation only 2.8-10.4% of the seeds were developed. Keywords: Malvaceae, flowering, flower morphology, seed setting Full text PDF Back to the top POLLEN PELLETS AS A MEDIUM FOR CULTURE OF MITES Suidasia pontifica (Oud.) (Acarina, Suidasiidae) Wit Chmielewski Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division in Puławy, Department of Bee Products Kazimierska 2, 24 - 100 Puławy. Poland e-mail: wit.chmielewski@man.pulawy.pl Received 19 December 2008; accepted 08 May 2009 Summary Bee-collected pollen was tested as a medium for the rearing of Suidasia pontifica. This species is an allergenic mite which is important when considering the implications of economic and sanitary conditions. This species sometimes occurs in bee's nests. Cultures and experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions, i.e. temperature - ca. +20EC, RH - near 85%, food - bee-collected pollen (pollen loads). Some obtained life parameters of this mite species (average data) are as follows: ontogenesis - 17.3 days; eclosion of adults - 87.0%; ratio of females - 54.0%; longevity of imagines - 26.1 days; productivity - 59.1 eggs per female lifespan. These results show the comparatively high biological potential of the mites and usefulness of flower pollen as an attractive and effective medium for laboratory culture of these mites. The acceptance of bee-collected pollen seems to explain the occurrence of mites and their population increase in the nests of bees. Keywords: Acarina, biology, mites, flower pollen, life parameters, rearing method, Suidasia pontifica. Full text PDF Back to the top THE ACTIVITY OF NINETEEN HYDROLASES IN EXTRACTS FROM Varroa destructor AND IN HEMOLYMPH OF Apis mellifera carnica WORKER BEES Regina Frączek1, Krystyna Żółtowska1, Zbigniew Lipiński2 1Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Oczapowskiego 1A Str., 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland, e-mail: regina.fraczek@uwm.edu.pl 2Wengris Str. 8, 10-735 Olsztyn, Poland, e-mail: Lipinski@sprint.com.pl Received 24 January; accepted 22 April 2009 Summary The activity of 19 hydrolases in extracts of Varroa destructor mite and hemolymph of Apis mellifera carnica honey bee (a host) were studied. Within parasite's esterases high activity of alkaline and acid phosphatase, low esterase (C4) and esterase (C8), and no activity of lipase (C14) was noticed. Among its peptidases the activity of leucine arylamidase was high, and a low activity of valine, cysteine arylamidase and trypsin was detected. However, no activity of chymotrypsin was observed. Except for á-galactosidase, á-mannosidase, a high activity was observed in the rest of the á- and ß-glycosidases. The activity for all 19 enzymes was found in the hemolymph of worker bees. It should be noticed that the relative activity of most of the enzymes was on almost the same level in the host as in the parasite. However, the activities of glycosidases; á-fucosidase, ß-glucuronidase and á-galactosidase were higher in the parasite than in the honey bee hemolymph. Keywords: Apis mellifera carnica, Varroa destructor, enzyme, hydrolase Full text PDF Back to the top EFFICACY OF SOME CHEMICALS AS REPELLENTS AGAINST TWO HONEY BEE SPECIES, Apis mellifera L. AND Apis florea F. IN SEMI-FIELD TRIALS Shailja Mishra1, R.C. Sihag2 1Laboratory of Apidology, Department of Zoology and Aquaculture, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar 125 004, India. 2E- mail: sihagrc@rediffmail.com Received 10 February; accepted 28 May 2009 Summary The objective of this research was to devise methods to provide functional protection to the honeybees in pesticide treated fields. Twenty five chemical compounds belonging to these five different groups - amine, ester, phenol, aldehyde and ketone, at six different concentration levels ranging from 0.05 to 0.5% were tested for their repellency. They were tested for their repellency against the two honey bee species, Apis mellifera and Apis florea under semi-field conditions. Out of these, fifteen compounds belonging to three groups i.e. phenol, aldehyde and ketone exhibited the desired level of $ 80% repellency. Ketones showed desired repellency at even low concentrations followed by aldehydes and phenols. Among these fifteen compounds, p-ethoxyacetophenone, m-bromoacetophenone and 3, 4, 5-trimethoxyacetophenone at a 0.2% concentration; phenylacetaldehyde at a 0.3% concentration and; 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, p-bromophenol and p-cresol at a 0.4% concentration exhibited the desired level of 80% repellency. Keywords: Honeybees, Apis florea, Apis mellifera, pollination, pesticides, repellents Full text PDF Back to the top THE SUITABILITY OF NATIVE Bombus terrestris dalmatinus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) QUEEN FOR MASS REARING Fehmi Gurel, Ayhan Gosterit Akdeniz University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, 07059 Antalya, Turkey, e-mail: fgurel@akdeniz.edu.tr Received 02 March; accepted 20 April 2009 Summary We examined the suitability of mass rearing native Bombus terrestris dalmatinus queens in the laboratory. A total of 50 naturally mated and aestivated B. t. dalmatinus queens were collected in autumn, from the Mediterranean coastal region. The queens were allowed to start a colony in the laboratory under standard conditions (28EC, 60% R.H.). The first generation colonies were thus obtained. Newly emerged young queens and males were collected from these colonies and mated in a cage. After mating, queens were put into artificial hibernation at 4EC for 45 days. They were then allowed to start a colony following the same procedure. The second generation colonies were thus obtained. The timing of colony initiation, the number of egg cells in the first brood, the timing of first worker emergence and the total number of queens appear to be similar in both generations. The average number of workers in the first and second generation colonies were 71.90 " 13.30 and 121.10 " 22.70 respectively. Colony production ratio was also lower in the first generation colonies (46%) than in the second generation colonies (74.1%). Results show that this native population is suited to mass rearing. Colony development characteristics can be improved by increasing breeding techniques and selection. Keywords: bumble bees, Bombus terrestris dalmatinus, Mediterranean population, mass rearing, colony development Full text PDF Back to the top PHORETIC MITES (Acarina) ON EARWIGS, Forficula auricularia L. (Insecta, Dermaptera), FOUND IN APIARIES Wit Chmielewski Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division in Puławy, Department of Bee Products Kazimierska 2, 24 - 100 Puławy. Poland e-mail: wit.chmielewski@man.pulawy.pl Received 30 March; accepted 23 April 2009 Summary Adult specimens of European earwig, Forficula auricularia collected from honeybee, Apis mellifera colonies with external mites were examined. Microscopic analyses of 211 earwigs showed that 81.5% of them were infested with mites. The following mites were recorded - phoretic hypopi of Anoetoidea (Histiostoma polypori, H. feroniarum) and several Acaroidea (Acarus farris, Rhizoglyphus echinopus, Caloglyphus berlesei). Some other unidentified mites, mainly belonging to the astigmadid, mesostigmatid and the trombiculid groups, were also recorded. The numbers of mites varied enormously and ranged from 1 to over 100 individuals per one earwig specimen. Mites were attached to particular surface regions of an insect's body. The most numerous hypopi colonies were observed on the front, end and lateral surfaces of the thorax. The abdomen of the earwig was settled mainly in the neighbourhood of the earwig thorax and near distal end of its abdomen (cerci). Hypopodes attached to earwig legs were sometimes observed. Hypopodes were also found attached to its head but this was rare. Smooth and unprotected body surfaces, distal body parts, especially mobile segments of legs (tarsi) and head (mouth parts, antennae), were usually without mites. The results of this study show a significant portion of earwigs transporting and spreading mites in the apiary environment, in which earwigs had penetrated. Keywords: Acarina, Acaridae, apiary, Apis mellifera, beehives, European earwig, Forficula auricularia, Histiostomatidae, honeybee, hypopus, mites, phoresy Full text PDF Back to the top CHANGES ON SACCHARIDE COMPOSITION OF HONEY DURING RIPENING UNDER CONTROLLED CONDITIONS Piotr Semkiw, Wojciech Skowronek, Piotr Skubida, Helena Rybak-Chmielewska, Teresa Szczęsna Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division in Puławy, Kazimierska 2, 24 - 100 Puławy. Poland. E - mail: piotr.semkiw@man.pulawy.pl Received 14 April; accepted 09 June 2009 Summary An experiment was carried out to study the effect of honey ripening under controlled conditions on the honey's saccharide composition. The experimental materials used for the analysis were the samples of unifloral honeys collected from different apiaries. Analysis were conducted on 79 samples of unripe honeys that were dehydrated in a specially-prepared chamber as well as on 69 samples of honeys from the same apiaries which were allowed to ripe in the hives. The dehydration of the unripe honeys resulted in an increase in the content of reducing sugars that ranged from 3 to 8%. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that in all varietes of dehydrated unripe honeys, except for linden honey, the content of the reducing sugars increased to a significant extent. The content of reducing sugars in the dehydrated honeys and in-hive ripening honeys did not differ statistically, with an exception of dehydrated oilseed rape and borage honeys which had a significantly higher content of saccharide. The process of honey dehydration under controlled conditions caused a slight decrease in the content of saccharose in all honey varieties analyzed. The difference observed in its concentration between unripe and dehydrated honeys was around or below 1%. Keywords: honey, dehydration, carbohydrates. Full text PDF Back to the top EFFECT OF PERIOD OF THE SEASON AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON RATE OF CLEANING CELLS WITH DEAD BROOD Beata Panasiuk, Wojciech Skowronek, Dariusz Gerula Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division, Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Pulawy, Poland E - mail: beata.panasiuk@man.pulawy.pl Received 15 April; accepted 19 May 2009 Summary The study was done in the years of 2004, 2005 and 2007 in carniolan bee colonies, of Zosia line. The hygienic behaviour of bee colonies with assays of freeze-killed brood was measured. In 2007 the hygienic behaviour of colonies was related to the weather conditions and natural honey flow. Some differences were found in the removal rate of dead brood during the experiment. In the first 12 hours after the brood was killed a significantly lower percentage of cleaned cells was observed in the year of 2005. After 3 days of cleaning, bees removed a significantly higher percentage of freeze-killed brood in 2007 than in 2004 and 2005. Some differences were found also in the rate of cell cleaning in particular periods of the season. During the first 12 hours after the brood was killed, bees removed the least freeze-killed brood in May. In the first three days, after the brood was killed, bees cleaned the highest percentage of dead brood in June and August. No correlation was found between cell cleaning rate and average air temperature and air humidity. Also the nectar income on the day of measurement did not affect the rate of dead brood removal. However the nectar income on the day before the measurement of the cleaning rate, affected positively the number of removed dead brood. Keywords: hygienic behaviour, period of the season, environmental conditions. Full text PDF Back to the top Homepage