The role of stimulative feeding of nurse bees in queen rearing technology

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of stimulative feeding of nurse bees in the technological process of queen rearing. Under conditions of absent maintenance nectar flow, nurse colonies were fed 50% sugar syrup supplemented with the biostimulator Cloramicob. Supplemental feeding improved the physiological condition of the bees and stimulated royal jelly secretion for grafted larvae, which increased larval acceptance for rearing. It also promoted queen cell development, particularly length and diameter, and increased the body mass of both unmated and mated queens. The best overall response was generally obtained at the dose of 2.0 ml/L, while all stimulated groups outperformed the unstimulated control.