Insights into Beekeeping: From Beekeepers to Queens
Uncover the intriguing world of beekeeping, where beekeepers play the role of "pimps and madams" in managing bee reproductive lives. Learn about the development of bees from egg to adult, the crucial role of drones, and the fascinating life of queen bees. Delve into the essential lessons from drones, the significance of queens' reproductive processes, and the lifecycle of these remarkable insects.
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Presentation Transcript
OR IF YOU WANT TO BE A LITTLE SALACIOUS: Beekeepers as Beekeepers as
PIMPS (& MADAMS) Bet you never thought of yourself in Bet you never thought of yourself in those terms as a beekeeper. those terms as a beekeeper. But a big part of beekeepers job is But a big part of beekeepers job is managing the reproductive lives managing the reproductive lives of your bees. of your bees.
DRONES ARE HAPLOID FEMALES ARE DIPLOID
LESSONS FROM DRONE Days to emerge: 24 Days to emerge: 24 Days to sexual maturity: 24 + 10 = 34 Days to sexual maturity: 24 + 10 = 34 Life expectancy: Life expectancy: 60 Service life 26 days 60 Service life 26 days What does that say about early queens? What does that say about early queens? Why are drones essential to nature? Why are drones essential to nature? What percentage of genes come from drone? What percentage of genes come from drone? Why do hives get laying workers? Why do hives get laying workers?
THE QUEEN Has Has spermatheca spermatheca (bladder) (bladder) mated mated queen has sperm from up to @15 queen has sperm from up to @15 drones in the bladder (2 drones in the bladder (2- -6 million sperm) sperm) 6 million Flies 1 Flies 1- -2 km to drone congregation area 2 km to drone congregation area 60% of queens perform 2 ( 60% of queens perform 2 (10 mating flights mating flights 10- -30 30 minute) minute)
QUEENS LIFE CALENDAR Days to emerge Days to emerge Days to harden up Days to harden up Days of maiden flights Days of maiden flights Day to begin laying Day to begin laying Productive life? Productive life? until injury, lack of sperm age until injury, lack of sperm age or ill health does her in. or ill health does her in. 16 (11 effective) 16 (11 effective) 5 at least 5 at least 6+ (weather) 6+ (weather) 2 2- -14 14 ???? ????
WORKER LIFE CALENDAR Think of 3 periods of 21 days each Think of 3 periods of 21 days each * Days to emerge: 21 * Days to emerge: 21 * Days as a house bee: 21 * Days as a house bee: 21 * Days as a forager: 21 * Days as a forager: 21
LESSONS FROM WORKER of life in hive as forager of life in hive as forager Life tasks (feeding, receiving, Life tasks (feeding, receiving, waxmaking waxmaking) are age regulated but bees ) are age regulated but bees can imperfectly adjust can imperfectly adjust Math works against Math works against requeening requeening/swarming success (rule of /swarming success (rule of 21) 21) SOLUTION? SOLUTION?
HOW MANY EGGS CAN QUEEN LAY? Necessities for successful queen? Necessities for successful queen?
WHAT CAN BEEKEEPER DO TO HELP QUEEN SUCCEED? Cells/Wax Cells/Wax Nurse bees Nurse bees Receiver bees Receiver bees Foragers Foragers
