Showing papers in "Journal of Apicultural Research in 1968"
TL;DR: The transition from “summer” bees, in which the hypopharyngeal glands change rapidly in size and invertase content as a bee gets older, to “winter’ bees, which at all ages have large glands, is studied.
Abstract: SummaryThe transition from “summer” bees, in which the hypopharyngeal glands change rapidly in size and invertase content as a bee gets older, to “winter” bees, which at all ages have large glands rich in invertase, progressed gradually towards the end of the summer.In summer, glands of many foraging bees were large, and in winter those of bees feeding brood contained much invertase.The visible secretion masses in the glands are probably larval food. The invertase-containing secretion was not separately visible. It could be either scanty or abundant in large visibly active glands; it was always abundant in glands that appeared to be almost completely atrophied. The latter must actively secrete invertase, since they discharged too much to have come from reserves within them.
77 citations
TL;DR: Drifting was reduced by arranging hives in two squares of four with entrances facing inwards in one group and outwards in the other, and by arranging a group of 16 h Hive in a Graeco-Latin square with differently coloured boards above hive entrances and entrances facing different directions.
Abstract: SummaryDrifting was reduced by arranging hives in two squares of four with entrances facing inwards in one group and outwards in the other. It was also reduced by arranging a group of 16 hives in a Graeco-Latin square, with differently coloured boards above hive entrances and entrances facing different directions. When hives were arranged in rows perpendicular to a windbreak, considerable drifting occurred between rows and especially forward along the rows. When hives were arranged in four rows to form a large square, the bees drifted towards the end colonies of each side. There was an unexplained tendency for bees to drift southward in rows facing east or west and westward in rows facing north or south.
43 citations
TL;DR: Observations on three species of bees showed that, in both red clover and lucerne, there was a significant positive correlation between the temperature and the number of honeybees foraging, and the pollinating effectiveness of the different groups of foraging bees.
Abstract: SummaryObservations on three species of bees showed that, in both red clover and lucerne, there was a significant positive correlation between the temperature and the number of honeybees foraging. The number of B. terrestris foraging was not significantly affected by temperature (11–33°C); on lucerne, there was a highly significant correlation between numbers of honeybees and of B. terrestris, the one robbing nectar and the other collecting pollen. On red clover, pollen foraging by B. ruderatus decreased with increasing temperature, because of increased competition from honeybees.Results are discussed in relation to the pollinating effectiveness of the different groups of foraging bees.
34 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that the supplement was more attractive to the bees, but the substitute more nutritious, and the addition of brewer's yeast to the supplement— or pollen to the substitute—might give a diet that is both attractive and nutritious.
Abstract: SummarySignificant relationships were found between the age of pollen used in pollen supplements and the following characteristics of worker bees reared on them: development of hypopharyngeal glands; time to reach maximum thoracic weight; number of bees reared per gram of supplement consumed. Small colonies fed on pollen supplements reared more brood, but those fed on pollen substitutes maintained brood rearing for a longer time. It is concluded that the supplement was more attractive to the bees, but the substitute more nutritious. The addition of brewer's yeast to the supplement— or pollen to the substitute—might give a diet that is both attractive and nutritious.
33 citations
TL;DR: Although the authors have not compared the productive ability of the high line with that of commercial bees, results suggest that commercially useful strains could be developed.
Abstract: SummarySelection within lines for honeybees showing strong and weak tendencies toward collection of alfalfa pollen was continued through the fifth generation. In the line with a strong tendency (high line), the average percentage of pollen collectors collecting alfalfa pollen increased from 66% in the fourth generation to 85% in the fifth. In the line with the weak tendency (low line), the corresponding percentages were 8% and 18%. Backcrosses of the two lines resulted in an intermediate mean. At Howell, Utah, where other pollen than alfalfa was scarce, the percentages were 99% and 53% for the high and low lines respectively, and at Fielding, Utah, where other pollen was abundant, they were 54% and 2%. Although we have not compared the productive ability of the high line with that of commercial bees, results suggest that commercially useful strains could be developed.
29 citations
TL;DR: Intensive observations on a small number of individual honeybees failed to provide evidence at the volume of the load of syrup they collected on any given trip was correlated with the concentration, scent, or type of sugar in the syrup.
Abstract: SummaryIntensive observations on a small number of individual honeybees failed to provide evidence at the volume of the load of syrup they collected on any given trip was correlated with the concentration, scent, or type of sugar in the syrup. The volume of the load was positively correlated with the size of the bee (its unladen weight), and the capacity of the honey stomach seemed to be the determining factor. Some implications of these results are discussed.
26 citations
TL;DR: Unaltered worker jelly (brood food) does not support pupation, but the addition of enough sugar to make the total sugar concentration equal to that of royal jelly permits a normal prepupal ecdysis to take place.
Abstract: SummaryUnaltered worker jelly (brood food) does not support pupation, but the addition of enough sugar to make the total sugar concentration equal to that of royal jelly permits a normal prepupal ecdysis to take place.
23 citations
TL;DR: Addition to the diet fed to honeybee colonies in cages of either whole-pollen lipids, or the fraction soluble in cold acetone, resulted in a significant increase in the amount of food consumed.
Abstract: SummaryAddition to the diet fed to honeybee colonies in cages of either whole-pollen lipids, or the fraction soluble in cold acetone, resulted in a significant increase in the amount of food consumed. On the other hand addition of the fraction insoluble in cold acetone, or of an extract of the volatile substances in pollen, led to decreased food consumption.
23 citations
TL;DR: “Scout” honeybees searching for forage were attracted to the odour from the Nasonov gland of previous foragers, and some did so even when foraging on natural flowers to which sucrose syrup had been added.
Abstract: Summary“Scout” honeybees searching for forage were attracted to the odour from the Nasonov gland of previous foragers. Foragers did not usually expose their Nasonov gland until after the first few visits to a food source, even when this was abundant and attractive. Some foragers exposed the gland more often and for longer than others did.The tendency of bees to expose their Nasonov gland was not influenced by: the presence of Nasonov-gland odour at the food source; the replacement of syrup as a food source by honey (even in close proximity to a strange colony, as when robbing takes place); the addition to a food source of obvious visual orientation marks, or of certain scents (benzyl acetate, methyl benzoate). The addition of a floral scent (geraniol) to an odourless food discouraged bees from exposing their Nasonov gland, although some did so even when foraging on natural flowers to which sucrose syrup had been added.
22 citations
TL;DR: The pantothenic acid content of pollen one or two years old was higher if the pollen had been dried than if it had been frozen; this is thought to explain the faster growth of bees fed on supplements containing the dried pollen.
Abstract: SummaryThe pollens used in nutritional studies by Hagedorn and Moeller (1968) were analysed for niacin, riboflavin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, thiamine and ascorbic acid, and the results compared with those of the nutritional studies. The ascorbic acid content decreased with the age of the pollen, as did the pollen's effectiveness for brood rearing, hypopharyngeal gland development and rate of growth of honeybees. The pantothenic acid content of pollen one or two years old was higher if the pollen had been dried than if it had been frozen; this is thought to explain the faster growth of bees fed on supplements containing the dried pollen. The folic acid content of fresh pollen was twice as high as previously reported.
22 citations
TL;DR: An experimental complex comprising observation hives, hive-shelters whose thermostatically controlled temperature avoids temperature stress in the hive, and flight-cages in the open air which allow bees from the hives to forage and maintain colony populations for many months is described.
Abstract: SummaryDescriptions are given of an experimental complex comprising observation hives, hive-shelters whose thermostatically controlled temperature avoids temperature stress in the hives, and flight-cages in the open air which allow bees from the hives to forage and maintain colony populations for many months. A virus or virus-like adult bee disease that can cause colony deterioration is mentioned.
TL;DR: Although oxygen consumption is higher in queen larvae, caution is necessary in adopting absolute rates as indicator rates, and feeding royal jelly to worker larvae of the same age had no significant effect.
Abstract: SummaryThe dichotomy between queen and worker honeybee larvae with respect to oxygen consumption appeared at about 50 hours. It was characterized by a progressive increase in the rate of uptake (in μl/hr/mg) by queen larvae and a progressive decrease in the rate of uptake by worker larvae, that continued until about 72 hours. During this period oxygen uptake was sensitive to the influence of diet, royal jelly supporting a higher level than worker jelly in both queen and worker larvae. Worker jelly reduced the rate of increase in consumption by queen larvae, but royal jelly did not significantly retard the rate of decrease in worker larvae. Feeding worker jelly to queen larvae 72–96 hours old reduced their oxygen uptake, but feeding royal jelly to worker larvae of the same age had no significant effect. Oxygen consumption varied appreciably with season in queen larvae but not in worker larvae.Although oxygen consumption is higher in queen larvae, caution is necessary in adopting absolute rates as indicator...
TL;DR: A pure culture of Streptococcus pluton isolated in Denmark from larvae there with European foul brood caused the disease when inoculated into healthy colonies when inoculations with bacteria from E.F.B.
Abstract: SummaryA pure culture of Streptococcus pluton isolated in Denmark from larvae there with European foul brood (E.F.B.) caused the disease when inoculated into healthy colonies. Bacteria-free filtrates of E.F.B, larvae from either Denmark or England did not cause E.F.B., and the English filtrate did not contain the virus-like particles seen in similar filtrates elsewhere. All strains of S. pluton examined, which had been isolated in many parts of the world, were closely related serologically. Inoculating colonies with bacteria from E.F.B, larvae did not cause E.F.B, during late summer, and endemically diseased colonies recovered spontaneously when removed to areas usually free from E.F.B.
TL;DR: Pure venoms from Apis dorsata, A. florea and A. indica were collected and analysed for the first time, and compared with venom strains from European and U.S. strains of Apis mellifera, finding the high toxicity attributed to A. dorsata venom could not be confirmed.
Abstract: SummaryPure venoms from Apis dorsata, A. florea and A. indica (cerano) were collected and analysed for the first time, and compared with venoms from European and U.S. strains of Apis mellifera. The high toxicity attributed to A. dorsata venom could not be confirmed. Taxonomic relationships between the venoms are discussed.
TL;DR: It is shown that measurement of the labial palpus can give a useful estimate of proboscis length; correlation coefficients are given for bees of both species.
Abstract: SummaryIt is shown that measurement of the labial palpus can give a useful estimate of proboscis length; correlation coefficients are given for bees of both species. Differences between the two species for all measurements of proboscis parts were highly significant. For measurements that were closely correlated with the length of labial palpus, differences between two colonies of the same species (and race) were also highly significant. Other conclusions are drawn from the results about the relative lengths of parts of the proboscis.
TL;DR: The Honey sacs of bees 10 days old were fuller than those of other bees before their colony was smoked, so they were also fuller afterwards, and Bees that stung a provocative object tended to have less food in their honey sacs than bees that did not sting it.
Abstract: SummaryAfter smoke was blown among the bees of a small colony, the amount of food in their honey sacs soon increased greatly, and then decreased slowly; even two hours after smoking the average weight of the honey sacs was greater than before smoking began. The amount bees ingested was not related to their age, but the honey sacs of bees 10 days old (likely to be feeding brood and building comb) were fuller than those of other bees before their colony was smoked, so they were also fuller afterwards. Bees that stung a provocative object tended to have less food in their honey sacs than bees that did not sting it.
TL;DR: In glasshouses honeybees were as successful as bumble bees at pollinating runner beans, and their use produced earlier crops.
Abstract: SummaryIn glasshouses honeybees were as successful as bumble bees at pollinating runner beans, and their use produced earlier crops.
TL;DR: Experiments showed that engorging behaviour is released among the members of a honeybee colony when they are stimulated by smoke, or by vibration caused by a falling weight, which increases the probability of colony survival after destruction of its combs.
Abstract: SummaryExperiments showed that engorging behaviour is released among the members of a honeybee colony when they are stimulated by smoke, or by vibration caused by a falling weight. The number of bees engorging is greatest during dearth conditions and unfavourable flying weather. Engorging reaches a maximum about two minutes after a colony is disturbed. An engorging reaction increases the probability of colony survival after destruction of its combs; the implications of this are discussed.
TL;DR: The behaviour of pollen-collecting honeybees whose pollen loads were removed as they entered the hive appeared in no way modified from that of foragers which retained their pollen loads.
Abstract: SummaryThe behaviour of pollen-collecting honeybees whose pollen loads were removed as they entered the hive appeared in no way modified from that of foragers which retained their pollen loads. The full behaviour pattern of “packing” in a cell was completed, although there was no pollen to pack.
TL;DR: More winter bees than summer bees flew at lower temperatures, but fewer at higher temperatures, while bimodal patterns in daily flight cycles were observed.
Abstract: SummaryHoneybee colonies were held in a flight room under constant and cycling temperatures. Flight activity, as measured by entrance counts, increased wi environmental temperature, and closely followed changes in it. In July-August, flight activity was nearly twice as great at 32° as at 21°; in April and November it was nearly three times as great. Bimodal patterns in daily flight cycles were observed. More winter bees than summer bees flew at lower temperatures, but fewer at higher temperatures.
TL;DR: The two techniques described proved especially useful in routine insemination of Apis mellifera adansonii queens.
Abstract: SummaryThe two techniques described proved especially useful in routine insemination of Apis mellifera adansonii queens. The vaginal orifice is stained with Fast Green, and the valvefold is held out of the way of the syringe by using a micromanipulator that is described and illustrated.
TL;DR: Homogenates of the midgut of honeybee larvae 3–5 days old hydrolysed all five protein fractions isolated from royal jelly by paper curtain electrophoresis, revealing a mixture of polypeptides and/or peptides and a minor proportion of amino acids.
Abstract: SummaryHomogenates of the midgut of honeybee larvae 3–5 days old hydrolysed all five protein fractions isolated from royal jelly by paper curtain electrophoresis. The amino acids lysine and threonine were identified by thin-layer chromatography in the hydrolysate of one fraction. The end-products of digestion of the other fractions were not identified but appeared to be peptides. Gel electrophoretograms of royal jelly protein before and after digestion by isolated midguts showed an increase in the number of protein bands to seven. After digestion four of the original bands were missing. Apparently royal jelly protein passes through the midgut as a mixture of polypeptides and/or peptides and a minor proportion of amino acids. Comparison of the hydrolysing characteristics of midgut homogenate and crystalline beef trypsin showed major differences. The homogenate had no effect on a synthetic substrate T.A.M.E. (p-toluene sulphonyl-L-arginine methyl ester HCl), which is readily hydrolysed by trypsin. No antige...
TL;DR: Honeybees foraging on plants sprayed with “Dieldrex 15” containing Saturn Yellow, a fluorescent pigment, were collected in front of, or within, the hive at intervals after spraying.
Abstract: SummaryHoneybees foraging on plants sprayed with “Dieldrex 15” containing Saturn Yellow, a fluorescent pigment, were collected in front of, or within, the hive at intervals after spraying, and grou...