SELECTION CRITERIA IN AN APIARY OF CARNIOLAN HONEY BEE (APIS MELLIFERA CARNICA) COLONIES FOR QUEEN REARING

Thirty six honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica) colonies were tested for gentleness, swarming behaviour, colony strength, racial characteristics, Cubital index (Ci), honey production, extension of capped brood, hygienic behaviour and the presence of Nosema spp. spores. The average value of Ci of all measures was 2.7 (+/- 0.40). The average honey production was 9.5 kg (+/- 6.6) and the area of capped brood was 7061 cm(2) (+/- 2813). Colonies expressed hygienic behaviour observed 24 hours after killing pupae twice in May and July at the level of 83.4% (+/- 11.2). Each of twelve colonies uncapped and removed more than 90% of killed pupae, and of these, eight colonies cleaned more than 96% of killed pupae. The highest Nosema spp. spore load was found during September. We conclude that establishing the colony performance factors, with maximal level of 34 points, is a suitable tool for ranking and selection of colonies in each queen rearing apiary.