STUDY ON THE BEHAVIOR OF ARTIFICIALLY INSEMINATED QUEENS OF APIS M. CARPATICA RACE DURING PASSIVE PERIOD

V. Toderici, Valentina Cebotari

Abstract
In beekeeping, at present time, mating can be controlled only by applying instrumental insemination techniques of queens or providing special isolated areas (islands, mountain regions). This study aimed to compare the behavior of instrumental inseminated queens to the naturally mated, during passive period (september to april). The lot of queens, artificially inseminated in late summer, were introduced in queen less colonies. Behavior aspects were compared to their sisters, naturally mated queens, which were introduced under appropriate conditions. For each batch where rated most important behavioral indices: acceptance of queens, laying start-up, wintering cluster, early build-up, etc.
Acceptance of instrumental inseminated queens was 75%, wintering of colonies was 90%, with a minimum consumption of food and was observed a intensive cleaning flight.

Key words: artificial insemination, queens of A. m. Carpatica race, queens behavior, natural mating