Comparison of Swarming Tendency and Defensive Behavior of Yığılca Local and Other Commonly Used Honeybee Genotypes in Turkey

Abstract

In this study, swarming tendency and defensive behavior of Yigilca localhoneybee were determined and compared with other commonly used honeybeegenotypes in Turkey. Colonies were headed by naturally mated queens and10 colonies of Yigilca local honeybee, 12 colonies of of Apis melliferacaucasica cross and 12 colonies of of Apis mellifera anatoliaca crosswere used in the experiment. In swarming season, Yigilca honeybeecolonies constructed more queen cells (49.86 +/- 18.00) than both A.m.anatoliaca cross (13.00 +/- 7.00) and A.m. caucasica (8.00 +/- 1.15)cross colonies. Similarly, according to results of sting test, thehighest number of stings was determined in Yigilca honeybee colonies(18.38 +/- 4.24), followed by A.m. anatoliaca (5.50 +/- 2.15) and A.m.caucasica (3.75 +/- 0.62) crosses. Results showed that Yigilca localhoneybee genotype has a more swarming tendency and is more defensivethan A.m. anatoliaca and A.m. caucasica crosses.