In vitro rearing of stingless bee queens and their acceptance rate into colonies

Abstract

The in vitro rearing of queen bees can improve the management and conservation of pollinator insects. Here, we have developed an in vitro queen-rearing protocol for Plebeia droryana (Apidae, Meliponini). Firstly, we evaluated the amount of food offered naturally to P. droryana queen larvae. After, we grafted P. droryana larvae onto acrylic plates which were kept in constant darkness at 25 °C and different relative humidity along larval development. We also compared intertegular distance of P. droryana queens reared in vitro and naturally. We then tested whether queens reared in vitro would be accepted into new colonies with older and/ or callow workers. We found that P. droryana larvae developed into queens if fed with 66 μL of larval food. The survival rate of P. droryana queens was > 75 %. The queens reared in vitro are similar in size to naturally produced ones. Finally, colonies only containing callow workers are more likely to accept queens reared in vitro. This queen-rearing technique may improve beekeeping practices in the Neotropical Region.