Morphometric Characteristics of Carniolan Honeybee Workers in Relation to Age of Comb

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Abstract

This study was conducted at the apiary of the Agricultural and Veterinary Training and Research Station, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, eastern Saudi Arabia, to examine the effect of comb age on some morphological characteristics of the workers of the Carniolan honeybee Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann. Comb ages of 1, 2, 3 and 4 years were used in this experiment. Worker body weight decreased in parallel with the increase in comb age. Compared to workers reared in old combs, significant increase in body weights, measured head appendage characteristics, wing characteristics, hind leg characteristics, length and width of the 3rd abdominal sternite, and 1st wax mirror were observed in workers obtained from new combs. Body weight was significantly positively correlated with most of these characteristics. The body size of workers was affected by the age of the comb they were reared in, which directly affected the dimensions of the appendages related to honey and pollen production. Thus, the recommendation is to replace old combs with new ones. Body size of worker can be used as indicator to the morphological characteristics of worker bees related to the activities and productivity of honeybee colonies. Keywords: Beeswax, Body weight, Comb, Metatarsus, Proboscis
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