Seasonal constraints on mating and insemination of queen honey bees in a continental climate

Abstract

Mating frequency and quality of insemination of queen honey bees were examined during spring 1984 to 1986 and summer 1984 at Madison, WI, USA. Mating frequency and sperm counts were highly variable among queens reared and mated during spring. During summer 1984, results were comparable to that reported for commercial queen rearers in the United States.