Effects of Rearing Interlude and Grafting Technique on Honeybee Apis mellifera L. Queen under Field Conditions

The proposed research work was conducted at Honeybee Research Institute of National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad on Apis mellifera Lingustica honeybee colonies during the spring months of March-April 2017. The effects of four larval grafting techniques, addition of royal jelly (A), dry grafting (B), grafting with addition of one drop of distilled water (C) Royal jelly plus distilled water (D) on queen bee rearing were investigated under field conditions. A considerable variation in queen rearing success was observed as calculated by percentage of secluded queen cells vs. grafted larvae over the study interlude. The highest larval acceptance 80.85 +/- 0.64 and 81.25 +/- 2.05 was observed by addition of royal jelly in March and April and lowest 42.05 +/- 0.69 and 48.21 +/- 2.02. The shortest pre oviposition period by addition of royal jelly in March and highest was by addition of distilled water droplet during March and April. The length of queen cell was highest in royal jelly added treatment followed by dry grafting, royal jelly plus distilled water and distilled water respectively. The queen emergence weight was slightly higher in the royal jelly added grafting than other treatments. The queen spermatheca diameter, emergence rate and mating rate were not found to be affected by the treatments and rearing interludes. Additional research is suggested and needed for clear recommendation.