A comparison of Primorsky Russian, Ontario, and hybrid stocks of honeybees: Population dynamics, mechanisms of Varroa mite resistance and economic characteristics.

摘要

The Varroa mite is an ectoparasite on honey bees. Primorsky Russian honey bees were introduced as resistant stocks against Varroa. Primorsky Russian honeybees were tested along with Ontario and hybrid stocks to determine population dynamics, Varroa resistance, and economic characteristics in northern climates.; Colonies were monitored for mite fall, and bee population characteristics from May until October 2002. Growth rates of mite fall were not different among stocks. RussianXOntario had the lowest mite fall, Ontario stock had the highest, the OntarioXRussian, and Russian stocks were in the middle and not different for each date. The growth rates of honey bee population and worker and drone brood production were not different in the tested stocks. No differences in exhibited suppression of mite reproduction, or grooming behaviour were found. The Russian and hybrid stocks showed more hygienic behaviour. Stepwise regression analysis showed that hygienic behaviour was the only variable that could explain reduction in Varroa levels. No differences were found in economically important characteristics such as honey production of stocks except, there were significantly fewer adult bees in Russian colonies in the spring.