Strona główna Journal of Apicultural Science
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0Vol.48 No.2 2004


Content
  1. Alexander Komissar - The peculiarities of the honeybee perception
    of the white and blue flat near-entrance marks 5
  2. Bożena Denisow - Dynamics of blooming and insect visits on several
    (Brassicaceae = Cruciferae Juss.) species 13
  3. Anna Wróblewska, Ernest Stawiarz - Pollen spectrum of some honeys
    from Opatów vicinity 23
  4. Zdzisław Wilkaniec, Karol Giejdasz, Grzegorz Prószyński - Effect
    of pollination of onion seeds under isolation by the red mason bee
    (Osmia rufa L.) (Apoidea; Megachilidae) on the setting and quality
    of obtained seeds 35
  5. Andrzej Pidek, Krystyna Pohorecka - Economical aspects of beekeeping
    in 10 countries ascending to European Union 43
  6. Zbigniew Kołtowski - Flowering biology, nectar secretion and insect
    foraging of the runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) 53
  7. Wojciech Skowronek, Małgorzata Bieńkowska, Cezary Kruk - Changes
    in body weight of honeybee queens during their maturation 61
  8. Mieczysław Biliński, Dariusz Teper - Rearing and utilization of the red mason
    bee - Osmia rufa L. (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae) for orchard pollination 69
  9. Dariusz Teper - Food plants of Bombus terrestris L. determined by palynological analysis of pollen loads 75
  10. Dariusz Gerula - Effects of adjusting the colony structure of Caucasian
    (Apis mellifera caucasica Gorb.) and Carniolan (Apis mellifera carnica
    Pollm.) bees under different flow conditions 83
  11. Teresa Szczęsna, Helena Rybak-Chmielewska - The temperature correction
    factor for electrical conductivity of honey 97
  12. Helena Rybak-Chmielewska, Teresa Szczęsna - HPLC study of chemical composition of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) venom 103
  13. Małgorzata Bieńkowska - Nationwide structure of honey flows in Poland
    in the years 1995-2003 111
  14. Piotr Skubida, Krystyna Pohorecka - Honey-producing potential of nuclei
    in the season of their establishment 123
  15. Krystyna Pohorecka - Laboratory studies on the effect of standardized
    Artemisia absinthium L. extract on Nosema apis infection in the
    worker Apis mellifera 131



    Abstrakts and full text PDF

THE PECULIARITIES OF THE HONEYBEE PERCEPTION OF THE WHITE AND BLUE FLAT NEAR-ENTRANCE MARKS
Alexander Komissar
Department of Apiculture, National Agricultural University, Kyiv, Ukraine
Received 06 May 2004; accepted 17 November 2004
Summary
The bees have high potential ability to discriminate colours as it was proved in the experiments on the feeders after prolonged appropriate training, when bees could see two stimuli (positive and negative) simultaneously. But this ability is not fully realized by the bees arriving into the near-entrance space, when they see simultaneously training and tested mark at the necessary conditions that they see the tested mark at first. In our experiments the arriving bees clearly distinguished white zinc mark from yellow and "silver" ones, but didn't from grey and blue near-entrance marks. These experiments confirm our preliminary painting recommendations (Komissar 1993, 1996) not to use white and blue colours simultaneously for painting near-entrance marks.
We propose to use additional colour of the surface of aluminium or any white metal. It is supposed that these painting recommendations can be applicable for coloration of the front hive walls, but the direct experiments with hives weren't carried out.
Keywords: honeybee, orientation, dicrimination of colours.
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DYNAMICS OF BLOOMING AND INSECT VISITS ON SEVERAL (Brassicaceae = Cruciferae Juss.) SPECIES
Bożena Denisow
Department of Botany, Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology,
20- 950 Lublin, Akademicka 15 str., e-mail: denisow@agros.ar.lublin.pl
Received 27 September 2004; accepted 20 November 2004
Summary
In the years 2002-2003 a study was run of the flowering biology and visitation by insects of several cruciferous species occurring at ruderal sites in Lublin area. In the study were included: Cardaminopsis arenosa (L.) Hayek, Bunias orientalis L., Rorippa austriaca (Crantz) Besser, Sinapis arvensis L., Sisymbrium loeselii L., Berteroa incana (L.) DC., Raphanus raphanistrum L. The species provided continuous bee pasturage from April to October. The majority of the species opened their flowers early in the day and the peak intensity of insect visitation occurred before noon. Bunias orientalis, Rorippa austriaca oraz Sisymbrium loeselii proved to be the the most attractive species for the pollinators. In the peak foraging hours an average of 9 to 19 bee-like insects were recorded within an area of 10 m2. Keywords: Cruciferae, synantropic vegetation, blooming, insect foraging.
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POLLEN SPECTRUM OF SOME HONEYS
FROM OPATÓW VICINITY
Anna Wróblewska, Ernest Stawiarz
Department of Botany, University of Agriculture, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, POLAND.
E-mail: awbot@agros.ar.lublin.pl
Received 05 November 2004; accepted 31 November 2004
Summary
During 2003 apicultural season 30 samples of honeys were collected from 21 localities of Opatów (Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship) countryside. Pollen analysis was made according to the requirements of the International Commission for Bee Botany IUSB (Louveaux et al. 1978). Palynological examination was based on Zander (1935, 1937, 1941, 1949, 1951) classification and colours of honeys according to the Maerz and Paul dictionary of color (1950).
Eighty-nine pollen taxa were identified in the examined samples of honeys: 65 nectariferous and 24 non-nectariferous plants. Participation of non-nectariferous plants in particular samples varied between 1.7 and 50.0%. Among the nectariferous plants the highest pollen frequency was found for Brassica napus and other Brassicaceae, Trifolium repens, Prunus type, Rubus type, Salix, Aesculus, Anthriscus type and Taraxacum type, from among non-nectariferous: Poaceae, Papaver, Plantago, Quercus and Rumex. On average an individual honey contained 17 pollen types of nectariferous plants (range 9-25) and 7 non-nectariferous (range 2-13).
Among the examined samples there were 8 specific honeys: 5 compatible with the Polish Standard - 3 rape, 1 acacia, 1 lime and 3 honeys out of this Standard. They were: 1 white mustard and 2 clover honeys. The remaining 22 samples were classified as multifloral honeys compatible with the Polish Standard.
The meadows and pastures as well as woods and scrubs supplied main sources of honey flow in the examined area.
Keywords: honeys, pollen analysis, Opatów vicinity, Poland.
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EFFECT OF POLLINATION OF ONION SEEDS UNDER ISOLATION BY THE RED MASON BEE (Osmia rufa L.) (Apoidea, Megachilidae) ON THE SETTING AND QUALITY OF OBTAINED SEEDS
Zdzisław Wilkaniec, Karol Giejdasz,
Grzegorz Prószyński
Department of Useful Insects' Breeding,
Faculty of Animal Science A. Cieszkowski Agricultural University of Poznań.
Received 06 November 2004; accepted 28 November 2004
Summary
The aim of the experiment was to assess the results of the pollination of seed onion by the red mason bee Osmia rufa L. in isolated conditions in comparison with self-pollination and free pollination. The results allowed the authors to conclude that Osmia rufa is an effective onion pollinator. Even though the mean number of fruits in the inflorescence set as a result of onion flower pollination by Osmia rufa, was lower than that resulting from free pollination, the percentage of pollinated flowers, which set seeds in the total number of flowers in the inflorescence was very similar in both systems of pollination. In addition, the total seed yield as well as the weight of 1,000 seed did not differ in the case of the pollination by the solitary bee and free pollination. Seeds set as a result of the pollination by the solitary bee and free pollination were characterized by the best germination capacity and energy. Self-pollinated onion inflorescences produced the lowest seed yields, which were, in addition, characterized by low germination capacity and energy.
Keywords: Osmia rufa, pollination, onion, seeds.
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ECONOMICAL ASPECTS OF BEEKEEPING
IN 10 COUNTRIES ASCENDING TO EUROPEAN UNION
Andrzej Pidek1, Krystyna Pohorecka2,1
1Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division,
24-100 Puławy, ul. Kazimierska 2, Poland.
2National Veterinary Research Institute, 24-100 Puławy, Al Partyzantów 57, Poland.
E-mail: apidek@insad.pl; krystyna.pohorecka@man.pulawy.pl
Received 08 November 2004; accepted 04 December 2004
Summary
The European Union has grown in size with accession of 10 countries. The number of member states increased from 15 to 25. The changes in the 10 countries ascending to EU are really deep. They range from transformations in economical and legal systems to changes in mentality and whole philosophy of life. In the way of transformation the beekeeping should not retreat. The comparison of old 15 members states shows that technological level and skills of beekeepers are similar. Economical indexes like the honey production from bee colony and the number of bee colonies per 1 km2 are similar, the first amounts to 15 kg, the second equals 3. The beekeeping statistics in ascending countries are very different. The honey production in EU post accession will increase from 130 to 182 thousands tons. The volume of imported honey after accession 10 new countries will increase by 4.3 thousands tons and the volume of export will increase by 16.2 thousands tons. These values will evolve along with the unification of economical situations in all EU-countries. The EU should also unify standards in all member states. The European beekeeping has a great tradition, which contributes to the present knowledge and science. It leads to the new concepts and innovations and mirrors in the variety of new technological devices. In Europe exist today more than 20 types of hive. Given that the climate conditions are differentiated in the ascending countries, just like they are in old 25 members states, some specialization in honey production would be very reasonable for the sized-up territory of EU. Generally the future honey production in Europe should concentrate in countries with mild climate. In countries of northern Europe it should be limited. The beekeeping in new members states should be more subsidized than in the old countries, especially the investments in infrastructure leading to better quality of sold honey. That would be accomplished by a resignation from trade preferences for some African and Asian countries. The undergoing changes require appropriate actions and full coordination from all members of EU 25.
Keywords: beekeeping, economical aspects, European Union.
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FLOWERING BIOLOGY, NECTAR SECRETION
AND INSECT FORAGING OF THE RUNNER BEAN
(Phaseolus coccineus L.)
Zbigniew Kołtowski
Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division,
ul. Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Puławy, Poland; e-mail: zbigniew.koltowski@man.pulawy.pl
Received 09 November 2004; accepted 27 December 2004
Summary
In the years 2002-2004 the biology of flowering, nectar secretion and foraging by insects of four runner bean cultivars was investigated at the Apiculture Division, Institute of Pomology and Floriculture in Puławy. Under Poland's condition runner bean starts to bloom towards the end of June and the blooming continues for 33 to 42 days. The flowers of runner bean develop exclusively in the morning, nearly 90% of their daily instalment developing from 5:00 to 7:00, summer daylight-saving time (4:00 to 6:00 Central European time).
Nectar starts to be secreted as soon as the bud stage. The buds to be developed into flowers in the morning to come, at mid-day contain already nearly 10% and in the evening around 36% of the total sugar amount. In the morning, freshly opened flowers contain nearly 70% of the total sugar amount. In runner bean flowers, resorption of sugars that have not been collected by insects starts in the evening but in picked flowers nectar persists on the following day, although in smaller quantity. Runner bean flowers secrete nectar copiously, at a rate of ca. 41 mg of sugars per 10 flowers concentrated at 35 to 45%.
Runner bean is visited mainly by the honeybee and by bumblebees for nectar. In the years of high short-tongued bumblebee populations their workers bite holes in many flowers and the honeybees will rather collect nectar through holes than the normal way. Once bean flowers have been bitten through by bumblebees nearly 70% of the total output of nectar sugars becomes available first of all for the honeybee.
Keywords: Phaseolus coccineus, flowering biology, nectar secretion, foraging by bees.
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CHANGES IN BODY WEIGHT OF HONEYBEE QUEENS DURING THEIR MATURATION
Wojciech Skowronek, Małgorzata Bieńkowska,
Cezary Kruk
Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Division of Apiculture,
Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Puławy, Poland, e-mail: wojciech.skowronek@man pulawy.pl
Received 17 November 2004; accepted 09 December 2004
Summary
In the years 1998-2004 changes in body weight of honeybee queens were investigated in the period from the emergence from queen cells to the beginning of oviposition. A total of 1173 queens were included in the study. In the period from emergence to insemination there was a substantial decline in queen body weight, the most rapid during the first 36 hours of life. During that time the queens lost ca. 40 mg of their body weight. There was a large variability in measurement results. After the onset of oviposition the body weight recovered to the post-emergence level. The weight of the young queens was influenced by their parentage, nursing colony, the position of the queen cell on the grafting frame and by ambient conditions. In each of the rearing series light queens were the first to emerge to be followed by heavier queens.
Keywords: honeybee queen, body weight, changes, rearing conditions.
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REARING AND UTILIZATION OF THE RED MASON
BEE - Osmia rufa L. (Hymenoptera, Megachilidae)
FOR ORCHARD POLLINATION
Mieczysław Biliński, Dariusz Teper
Apiculture Division, Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture,
ul. Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Puławy, Poland. E-mail: mieczyslaw.bilinski@man.pulawy.pl
Received 22 November 2004; accepted 10 December 2005
Summary
Mason bee (Osmia rufa) was introduced for the orchard pollination about 15-20th April in 2000-2002. Due to very high temperatures noted last years in May the flight of Osmia rufa females was short and ended about 15th June. Females founded their nests equally willingly in tubes made of reeds (o 6-8 mm), and in those of paper (o 7 mm). In the year 2000 during the blooming period tubes were sampled in 7-day intervals, three on each sampling date, for microscopic palynological analysis of cells. The nests showed the presence of 26% to 31% pollen from orchard plants (apple, cherry and blackcurrant) in full blooming period only. After this period the only orchard plant-derived pollen in the nests was that from anemophilous walnut (Juglans regia) - up to 71%. Density of Osmia rufa females required to pollinate 1 hectare of some orchard plants was calculated based on pollen output from 1 flower and pollen data from the cells.
Keywords: mason bee, Osmia rufa, orchard, pollination, pollen analysis.
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FOOD PLANTS OF Bombus terrestris L. DETERMINED
BY PALYNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF POLLEN LOADS
Dariusz Teper
Apiculture Division, Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture,
ul. Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Puławy, Poland. E-mail: dariusz.teper@man.pulawy.pl
Received 22 November 2004; accepted 10 December 2005
Summary
In July of 2000 and 2001 pollen loads were collected from returning to the nest workers of Bombus terrestris and then insects were released. A total of 61 pollen load pairs were collected. Microscope preparations were made and subjected to palynological analysis. The analysis showed the occurrence of 29 pollen types. The species considered as principal forage plants were those which formed one-species pollen loads. They were: Brassicaceae, Centaurea cyanus, Echium vulgare, Filipendula ulmaria, Lotus corniculatus, Hypericum, Plantago, Trifolium pratense and Trifolium repens.
Keywords: Bombus terrestris, food palnts, pollen loads, pollen analysis.
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EFFECTS OF ADJUSTING THE COLONY STRUCTURE OF CAUCASIAN (Apis mellifera caucasica Gorb.)
AND CARNIOLAN (Apis mellifera carnica Pollm.)
BEES UNDER DIFFERENT FLOW CONDITIONS
Dariusz Gerula
Apiculture Division, Research Institute of Floriculture and Pomology,
Puławy, Poland. E-mail: dariusz.gerula@man.pulawy.pl
Received 23 November 2004; accepted 11 December 2004
Summary
In the years 2002 and 2003 a comparison was made of honey outputs of honeybee colonies in which the queens were allowed different numbers of combs to lay eggs in. In each group colonies with Caucasian and Carniolan naturally mated queens were included. The following colony groups were compared:
A: queens were confined in queen cages with a queen excluder 29 days prior to the expected date of the termination of commercial honey flow,
B: queens were put in metal three frames insulators,
C: colony brood chambers were limited to 6 Dadant frames at the turn of April/May with bees being stimulated very early to move to the super,
D: (control) colonies with queens allowed to lay eggs without restriction, the number of combs being decided by colony strength.
The size of honey flow varied between the two years so the average honey output by all Caucasian colonies was 17.8 kg and by Carniolan colonies 13.6 kg in the first year (2002) and 32.2 kg and 27.7 kg, respectively in the second year (2003).
In 2002 there was no significant difference in total honey output among individual test groups even though the bee colonies of groups A and B, with more stringent egg-laying restrictions imposed on the queens, produced slightly more honey. In the second year, groups A and B were found to be the best concerning the amount of honey produced, the differences relative to the control group having been statistically proved for colonies with Carniolan queens. In both years Carniolan bees produced less honey than Caucasian ones. In 2003, during the main honey flow and immediately after it the Carniolan colonies reared significantly more brood than did the Caucasian colonies.
Correlation coefficients between the total amount of honey and the number of brood at the beginning of May were r=0.30 in 2002 and r=0.28 in 2003. In 2003 there was a negative correlation between the amount of brood counted at the onset of the main flow and the total amount of honey.
Keywords: queen insulator, restriction of egg-laying, honey yield, Caucasian bees, Carniolan bees.
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THE TEMPERATURE CORRECTION FACTOR
FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY OF HONEY
Teresa Szczęsna, Helena Rybak-Chmielewska
Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division,
Department of Bee Products, 24-100 Puławy, Kazimierska 2, Poland.
Received 24 November 2004; accepted 17 December 2004
Summary
The study was aimed at the determination of the temperature correction factor for the electrical conductivity of honey. Material for analyses was provided by samples of honey collected from the experimental apiaries of the Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division in Puławy over the years 2001-2002. The honey samples for routine electrical conductivity assays and samples of commercially available invert syrups were sent to the laboratory by Polish beekeepers and trading firms. In the temperature correction factor study the conductivity determinations were carried out at temperature varying from 15 to 30°C.
The temperature correction factor for electrical conductivity of honey ranged between 2.2 to 3.1 with the mean value of 2.6%/°C. There were no significant differences between conductivity of honey measured at 20°C and at the temperatures varying from 15 to 30°C after applying a temperature correction factor of 2.6%/°C. The lowest values of the electrical conductivity were characteristic for rape, false acacia and multifloral honeys, but they never fell below 0.1 mS/cm. The electrical conductivity for other kinds of nectar honey were: over 0.2 mS/cm for buckwheat, over 0.3 mS/cm for lime, and over 0.4 mS/cm for heather. The value of this parameter for invert syrups ranged between 0.003 and 0.024 mS/cm.
Keywords: honey, electrical conductivity, temperature correction factor, method.
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HPLC STUDY OF CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF HONEYBEE (Apis mellifera L.) VENOM
Helena Rybak-Chmielewska, Teresa Szczęsna
Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division,
Department of Bee Products. 24-100 Puławy, Kazimierska 2, Poland.
Received 28 November 2004; accepted 10 December 2004
Summary
The aim of the study was to the development of the method for the separation, identification and determination quantitatively of the major constituents of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) venom by high performance liquid chromatography (HLPC) and determination of the chemical composition of the domestic product by running routine tests.
In the study to develop an HPLC method to assay the major venom compounds the following elements were tested: chromatographic columns with C18 packing materials of different pore size (100, 180 and 300C), separation temperature (25, 30 35°C), flow rate (1.0; 1.5; 2.0 ml/min.), conditions of gradient elution (0%B - 45%B, 60 min and 0%B - 60%B, 60 min, 5%B - 80%B, 40 min). Chromatographic separation was performed using the following mobile phases: A - 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in water, B - 0.1% TFA in acetonitrile : water (80:20). The assays of the separated venom compounds were made using UV detector at 220 nm wavelength.
The best separation of the bee venom protein fraction was obtained on 180 and 300C pore size columns at a temperature of 25°C. The routine assays of bee venom chemical composition involved 29 samples collected from the apiary of the Apiculture Division, Institute of Pomology and Floriculture in Puławy over three consecutive beekeeping season (2002-2004). Bee venom samples were analyzed for the following major protein fraction compounds: melittin, phospholipase A2 and apamine. Melittin content varied from 61.15 to 70.15 and averaged 64.40%. Phospholipase A2 content came within a range of 11.24 to 15.05, and averaged 13.00%, and apamine content was between 2.09 to 4.18, averaging 3.10%. Statistically significant year-to-year differences were found for melittin.
Keywords: bee venom, Apis mellifera L., chemical composition, melittin, apamine, phspholipase A2, HPLC.
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NATIONWIDE STRUCTURE OF HONEY FLOWS
IN POLAND IN THE YEARS 1995-2003
Małgorzata Bieńkowska
Research Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Division of Apiculture,
Kazimierska 2, 24-100 Puławy, Poland.
Received 29 November 2004; accepted 15 December 2004
Summary
In the years 1995-2003 average gross hive weight gain was 39.7 kg/colony, net weight gain was 31.7 kg/colony and losses accounted for 20.1% of gross weight additions. In the period of study there was a tendency within the seasonal nectar flow distribution for the particular flows to shift towards spring. The gross weight gain in May accounted for 42.3% of the annual increment. June's contribution was 37% rising by ca. 3% on those of previous years, and July's was considerably declined accounting for 20.3% of the gross annual weight addition. August's increment was unchanged from previous years and continued to account for as little as 2.5% of the annual weight addition.
Keywords: nectar flows, scale hive, honeybee colony.
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HONEY-PRODUCING POTENTIAL OF NUCLEI
IN THE SEASON OF THEIR ESTABLISHMENT
Piotr Skubida, Krystyna Pohorecka
Apiculture Division, Research Institute of Floriculture and Pomology,
Puławy, POLAND. E-mail: opisik@man.pulawy.pl
Received 29 November 2004; accepted 06 December 2004
Summary
The objective of the study was to find an answer to the question whether newly-established nuclei can become productive colonies in the year in which they were established. In the years 1998-2002, strong 6-frame nuclei were established on the earliest date possible, they were fed twice with a stimulating dose of 1.5 l of sugar syrup and monitored for further development. The nuclei were assessed for development rate and productive potential. Upon completion of data analysis it was found that nuclei can produce a commercial honey crop in the season of their establishment provided that there is abundance of late-season nectar flows.
Keywords: bee colonies, nuclei, honey harvest, beekeeping technologies.
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LABORATORY STUDIES ON THE EFFECT
OF STANDARDIZED Artemisia absinthium L. EXTRACT
ON Nosema apis INFECTION IN THE WORKER
Apis mellifera
Krystyna Pohorecka
1National Veterinary Research Institute, Al. Partyzantów 57, 24-100 Puławy, POLAND.
2Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Apiculture Division, ul. Kazimierska 2,
24-100 Puławy, Poland. E-mail: krystyna.pohorecka@man.pulawy.pl
Received 30 November 2004; accepted 17 December 2004
Summary
The aim of the present study was laboratory evaluation of the effect of feeding worker bees with sugar syrup containing Artemisia absinthium L. extract on the development of N. apis infection.
In this experiment, groups of caged bees (100 bees each) naturally infected with N. apis and groups of caged bees artificially infected with a dose of 21 106spores/ml applied in 30 ml of 50% sugar syrup were fed for 17 days with 50% sugar syrup containing an addition of 5% and 10% A. absinthium L. extract. The control group of both bees bees were given 50% sugar syrup for 17 days also. At different intervals after inoculation (3, 10, 17 days), number of N. apis spores in homogenates of abdomens of worker bees from each group was determined by using Bürker haemocytometer.
It was found that A. absinthium L. standardized extract, after 17 days of treatment, significantly inhibited development of the Nosema apis in naturally and artificially infected worker bees. But we have found also a significantly greatest mortality of the treated worker bees in comparison with untreated ones.
Keywords: Artemisia absinthium L., extract, effect, honeybee, Nosema apis, infection.
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