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Title: PERFORMANCE OF HONEY BEE APIS MELLIFERA L., QUEENS REARED IN BEESWAX CELLS IMPREGNATED WITH COUMAPHOS

Author
item COLLINS, ANITA
item PETTIS, JEFFERY
item WILBANKS, REG - WILBANKS APIARIES
item FELDLAUFER, MARK

Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2004
Publication Date: 7/1/2004
Citation: Collins, A.M., Pettis, J.S., Wilbanks, R., Feldlaufer, M.F. 2004. Performance of honey bee apis mellifera l., queens reared in beeswax cells impregnated with coumaphos. Journal of Apicultural Research. 43(3):128-134.

Interpretive Summary: The compounds that beekeepers use to treat parasitic mite infestations in honey bee colonies can be absorbed by beeswax and therefore could have an impact on the development of young bees. We have experimentally determined that the development of queen bees was negatively impacted by the presence of high levels of one of these compounds. This information will be used by honey bee queen breeders and by beekeepers that raise their own queens to ensure the production of quality queens.

Technical Abstract: The effects of sublethal amounts of miticides on developing queens were investigated. Young honey bee larvae were transferred into beeswax cups containing known concentrations (0-1000 ppm) of coumaphos or fluvalinate (1000 ppm) and subsequently placed in queenless colonies for rearing. Ten days later, acceptance was determined by the presence of mature queen cells. Mature queen cells were placed in small mating colonies and after 21 days, the queens were collected. Queens were then either dissected, or introduced into production colonies and monitored for six months. The impact of queen exposure to sublethal amounts of miticides is discussed.