Wintering queen bees in modified mating nuclei

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an effective method which provides for additional queen bees to overwinter in mating nuclei. The assay was carried out in the years 2005-2008 (three wintering seasons) in three places in Poland: the Department of Zoology and Beekeeping at the West Pomeranian University of Technology in Szczecin, Division of Apiculture, University of Life Science-SGGW in Warsaw, and the Apiculture Division at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn. Experimental colonies were created and kept in two types of nuclei: in a trapezoid, top-bar mating nucleus [TB] and in a mini-plus nucleus [MP]. The highest number of colonies survived in Szczecin (63%), less in Warsaw (31%), and the least in Olsztyn (20%). In the TB nuclei, only 2% of the colonies overwintered successfully. In the MP nuclei with one colony, 65% overwintered successfully, and in MP with two colonies - 45% overwintered successfully. Keywords:wintering season, queen bees, mating nuclei.