Bees 7 Queen rearing Flashcards
Queen rearing (111 cards)
1
Q
Name two methods beekeepers can use to develop a ‘pure’ strain of honeybee and suggest difficulties likely in each 5
A
2
Q
Define the expression ‘line breeding’ in relation to the honeybee? 2
A
3
Q
From your record card select ONE feature for each of the following operations and explain it’s importance. You must select a different feature in each case.
i) A beekeeper with 4 hives in a suburban backyard.
ii) A commercial operation with over 100 hives. 4
A
4
Q
Other than docility and low swarming list what other important characteristics a queen breeder will select for. 8
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5
Q
What is hygienic behaviour of honey bees and why is this an important characteristic to be selected when choosing a breeder queen7
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6
Q
Give four characteristics that a bee breeder could use to select a breeder queen4
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7
Q
How can the quality of a breeder queen be assessed?3
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8
Q
The Buckfast honey bee is the outcome of what type of breeding programme?1
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9
Q
List 6 Characteristics of a colony that might be important to a queen rearer 6
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10
Q
List five desirable characteristics that may be used on a record card to assist with the selection of a potential breeder queen, giving a reason why these characteristics are desirable.10
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11
Q
How could the information be quantified?1
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12
Q
Describe in details a system of record keeping which can be used to assist with the selection of breeder queens. Include a diagram of a suitable record card15
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13
Q
Describe a record keeping system to be used to identify a breeder queen. 24
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14
Q
Apart from aggression, give two reasons with explanations, that could require a colony to be requeened 4
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15
Q
Provide a timescale and discuss the equipment needed for the planned improvement. 20
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16
Q
Name one factor/trait to select in a breeder queen. 1
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17
Q
Record keeping is vital for successful stock improvement. What information should be included and in what format should this information be recorded. Add a sketch of a record card a queen breeder might use. 16
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18
Q
How can the quality of a queen, that has been used for breeding, be evaluated? 4
A
19
Q
Please circle the correct answer: The “Miller Method” of producing queen cells involves:
a) selecting swarm cells
b) triangulated foundation
c) splitting a colony d) double grafting.
1
A
20
Q
At what age after the egg was laid in a queen cell is it considered to be right for introduction into a nucleus? 1
A
21
Q
What is the optimum age of a larva for grafting?1
A
22
Q
Name the queen rearing method involving a sharpened metal tube tipped with a Perspex cup. 1
A
23
Q
List the steps to be taken, when aiming to produce between 7 and 10 queen cells, using a simple method based on a double brood chamber colony without using a horizontal screen or division board. Your answer should not include distributing the cells to mating nuclei 15
A
24
Q
Queen breeders use two distinct units in their programmes to produce virgins: the cell starter/raiser and a cell finisher. Explain how each is used and the differences between them. In your answer stress the important components of each. 10
A
25
Describe in detail an efficient method of rearing sufficient queens for the needs of a beekeeper with 10 colonies. Discuss assessment and selection, method of queen cell production and cell raising, mating sites and hives 30
26
Give a detailed account of a large scale queen rearing system, using grafting, to produce batches of ripe queen cells to be introduced into mating nuclei. Use the following five headings: Details of the equipment required; Selection and grafting of larvae; Method of cell raising; Queen mating; Precautions to be taken. 30
27
List the steps to be taken when aiming to produce up to 10 queen cells, using a simple method based on a double brood box colony without suing a horizontal solid screen or division board. Your answer should not include distributing the cells in to mating nuclei 15
28
What is the youngest age of a breeder queen from which larvae would be used in a stock improvement scheme? 1
29
Describe the method of cell raising using grafts from: a queen right colony; 15
30
Describe the method of cell raising using grafts from: a queenless colony.10
31
What are the factors most important for success when raising queen cells 5
32
What are the advantages of the Miller method of producing queen cells 2
33
What are the limitations of the Miller method 2
34
Describe, with a diagram, the Miller method up to the point that it produces queen cells that are ready to be placed in a mating nuc 11
35
List the steps to be taken, when aiming to produce between 7 and 10 queen cells, using a simple method based on a double brood chamber colony without using a horizontal screen or division board. 15
36
Which method of queen cell raising employs brood foundation cut in a saw tooth pattern? 1
37
Using a queen of known qualities, describe how to produce a total of 50 open mated queens for distribution to members of your local association during the coming season.25
38
Write a short guide to grafting larvae for the production of queen cells. 5
39
Which process incorporates the use of a sting hook? 1
40
Describe the process of caging a mated queen for introduction elsewhere for a few days 6
41
Give four methods that could be used to maximise the chances of a virgin queen mating with drones of desirable characteristics. 4
42
List the steps involved in setting up mini nucs using sealed queen cells for mating at a remote site. Include timings. 10
43
Using a table, compare the advantages and disadvantages in using mini nucs and full frame nucs as mating hives. 5
44
7.09 Medelian genetics
Define hemizygous
Having only a single copy of a gene instead of the customary two copies
In humans: All the genes on the single X chromosome in the male are hemizygous.
In bees, drones are hemizygous.
45
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define allele
One of a pair of genes controlling the same characteristic but not necessarily producing the same effect - eg bee's colour black OR yellow.
46
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define chiasma 1
The region of close contact between homologous chromosomes in the early stages of meiosis which is where exchange of chromatids is taking place
47
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define chromatid
The product of a replicating chromosome. During cell division the chomatids re separated into two daughter cewlls. The two chromatids that make up one chromasome are identical in all respects (miotic division)
48
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define chromosome
Define homologous chromosome
The rod-lik structures in pairs in the nucleus of a cell. The carry all the genes and can bee seen undder a light microscope during cell division.
Homologous chromosomes are corresponing chromosomes of a pair, like in shape and size, one from the father, one from the mother.
49
7.09 Mendelian genetics
When does the phenomenon known as 'crossing-over' occur in reproduction? 1
During synapsis (the fusion of chromosome pairs at the start of meiosis)
50
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define diploid
The number of chromosomes in a non- reproductive cell (ie body cell. The chromosomes are represented twice.
Except drones, which are haploid.
51
7.09 Mendelian genetics
How many sex alleles does a diploid drone somatic cell have? 1
One
52
7.09 Mendelian genetics
How does a recessive characteristic differ from a prominent one? 2
When two contrasting genes (allels) are present in an organism, the one which causes the observable effect is called dominant.
Where D is dominant and d is recessive, for a recessive trait to present, it requires either:
* both parents to only have recessive allels (dd + d) or
* drone to be recessive (d) and the queen to have at least one recessive allel (Dd). This will produce progeny roughly 50:50 Dd and dd in generation 1
If the drone is dominant and the queen has two recessive allels, all progeny will present as Dd.
53
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define dominance (as applied to genetics) 2
When two contrasting genes are present in an organism, the one which causes an observable effect is called dominant.
54
7.09 Mendelian genetics
define F1 generation
The offspring of the mating of two individuals.
An F1 hybrid is the offspring of two pure races which always breed true;
The offspring from these mongrels do not breed true and are the F2 generation.
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
What is a gamete? 1
A reproductive cell, either an egg or a sperm
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define a gene 3
A sequence of DNA on a chromosome that controls a particular inherited characteristic in an individual
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define genome
The complete set of genetic material for an individual
58
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define haploid 1
Haploid describes a cell that contains a single set of chromosomes (drones).
The term can ALSO refer to the number of chromosomes in egg or sperm cells. In queens this is HALF the number of body cells. In drones this is the full set.
59
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define heterosis. 1
Also called hybrid vigor, or outbreeding enhancement.:
The improved function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring.
An offspring is heterotic if its traits are enhanced as a result of mixing the genetic contributions of its parents.
60
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define Hetrozygous 1
Differing but similar genes (alleles) of a particular locus for any one characteristic. Eg black or yellow color (B/y)
61
7.09 Medelian genetics
A cell or organism having TWO copies of each homologous chromosomes is said to be
Diploid
TBC
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define homologous chromosomes
**A pair of corresponding chromosomes** that are alike in shape and size, one from the female and one from the male parent.
At a point on long their length, there *could be* a gene B for colour on one and ather gene w for colour on another. Equally they could be BB or ww./
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
How many pairs of homologous chromosomes are found in the cells of the female bee? 1
16 (32 chromosomes)
64
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define Homozygous 1
Identical genes for a given characteristic eg yy or BB
65
7.09 Mendelian genetics
State the principles Mendel's second law of independent assortment.
Each pair of allels may combine randomly with either of another pair.
66
7.09 Mendelian genetics
State the principles Mendel's first law of segregation
When any individual produces gametes, the copies of a gene separate so that each gamete receives only one copy. A gamete will receive one allele or the other
67
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Who discovered the laws of inheritance 1
Mendel
68
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define meiosis
A type of cell division which results on the production of gametes. The chomosome number is halved (haploid) after meiosis EXCEPT in the production of drone the sperm.
69
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define Mitosis 1
The type of cell division that produces normal cells during the growth of an organism
70
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define partial dominance
Where one gener does not completely dominate - eg B+w \> grey.
71
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define polygenic trait. 2
One whose phenotype (observable characteristics) is influenced by more than one gene.
72
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define recessive.
When two contrasting allels are present, the dominant one causes the obervable effect.
A recessive phenotype that appears only in individuals who have received two copies of an allele, one copy from each parent.
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
Define zygote
The single cell that results from the fusion of two gametes (one from from father and one from mother) to produce another individual.
74
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Describe how it is possible to derive 'undesirable characteristics from mating two strains of bees with good characteristics 6
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
In the honeybee a condition called white eye is recessive. What colour eyes does the queen have? 1
White-eyed drones are blind - a disability. The Queen has black eyes.
(See Yate p203 mutation)
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
In the honeybee a condition called white eye is recessive. Draw a simple diagram to show results of crossing a wild type queen with a drone having white eyes. The queen used comes from a breeding line with no white eye in its history, had been inseminated with sperm only from white eyed drones. 5
The Queen is Black eyed: (BB) and the drone is White eyed (w). The capital letter denotes dominance and lower case, recessive:
* Generation 1 are all black eyed.
* All her daughters will be Bw and future queens will carry a copy of the recessive gene w.
* All drones will be B.
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
## Footnote
Given a yellow queen mating with a black drone and a yellow drone what will be the outcome in the first generation where yellow is recessive and black is dominant? 6
Lower case denotes recessive genes, upper case dominant ones.
The yellow is recessive, therefore the queen must be yy and her mating gametes are y and y.
The drones (haploid) she mates are respectively B and y (Black and Yellow)
The first generation will be as follows.
Drones: all will be yellow (y).
Workers: the following combinations are possible:
With the black drone: yB + yB and with the yellow drone: yy + yy
Therefore 50% of the workers will be black and 50% yellow.
78
7.09 Mendelian genetics
In a mating area there are 4 brown drones for every 1 yellow drone and all mating nucs contain brown queens. Explain with reasons what ratio of colours of worker bees would be expected when inspecting the progeny of the mated queens, given that yellow is the dominant colour. 4
*This is a very badly worded question. Sigh.*
## Footnote
Assuming that the queen mates 'randomly' with 4 brown drones and 1 yellow drone
Lower case denotes recessive genes, upper case dominant ones. b for brown Y for yellow.
The yellow is dominant, therefore the brown queen must be bb and her mating gametes are b and b.
The drones (haploid) she mates are respectively: b1 b2 b3 b4 Y
The first generation will be as follows.
Drones: all will be brown (b).
Workers: the following combinations are possible:
2 x b+b1
2 x b+b2
2 x b+b3
2 x b+b4
2 x b+Y
20% will be yellow and the rest brown.
79
7.09 Mendelian genetics
In the honeybee a condition called white eye is recessive. In this question you will have drawn a diagram to show results of crossing a wild type queen with a drone having white eyes. The queen used comes from a breeding line with no white eye in its history, had been inseminated with sperm only from white eyed drones.
What words are used to describe the genetic compliment of the drones and the workers produced? 2
Ignore the BBKA mis-spelling complement
I think they are looking for :
Genotype is the genetic make up of drones and workers.
Phenotype is the organism's observable characteristics.
In this question for black-eyed queen (BB) + white-eyed drone (w):
BB + w \> Bw (workers) and B drones (genotype) all present with black eyes (phenotype)
80
7.09 Mendelian genetics
A queen that has sex alleles K1,K3 is instrumentally inseminated with drone semen that collectively has K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5 sex alleles: give the possible combinations of sex alleles 5
Q: K1 K3 + Drones: K1, K2, K3, K4, K5
Possible combinations will be
* Drones of K1 and K3
* Workers of
* K1 K1 (diploid drones));
* K1 K2
* K1 K3
* K1 K4
* K1 K5
* K3 K1
* K3 K2
* K3, K3 (diploid drones)
* K3 K4
* K3 K5
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7.09 Mendelian genetics
A queen that has sex alleles K1,K3 is instrumentally inseminated with drone semen that collectively has K1, K2, K3, K4 and K5 sex alleles: what is the percentage of expected non-viable brood and what happens to it?
All the drone progeny will be viable.
20% of the worker progeny will be non viable diploid drones, and these eggs will be eaten by the adult workers.
1. Drones of K1 and K3 - all viable
2. Workers of
1. K1 K1 (diploid drones);
2. K1 K2
3. K1 K3
4. K1 K4
5. K1 K5
6. K3 K1
7. K3 K2
8. K3, K3 (diploid drones)
9. K3 K4
10. K3 K5
82
7.09 Mendelian genetics
Given queen Cc mating with drone c, what will the outcome be in the generation one, where C is dominant and c is recessive? Note this is not the sex allele. 6
cc (Drone's colour) + Cc (Queen's colour)
[I don't think this can be the full answer for a 6 point question!]
83
7.11 sex determination
What are the advantages of parthenogenesis to the beekeeper? 3
No idea: guess:
The beekeeper can instrumentally inseminate with confidence if he knows the orgin of the drones, and so can avoid the possibility of diploid drones.
84
7.11 sex determination
What are the advantages of parthenogenesis to the colony?
No idea
85
7.11 sex determination
How many chromosomes does a diploid drone have?
32
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7.11 sex determination
In the honeybee the development of the unfertilised egg is called? 1
Badly worded question.
Parthenogenesis to form a drone
87
7.11 sex determination
Drones are produced by virgin birth. What is the scientific name for this process?
Parthenogenesis
88
7.11 sex determination
Define parthenogenesis 1
Reproduction from an egg without fertilization
89
7.11 sex determination
How many pairs of chromosomes are contained within a diploid cell of a honeybee?
16 pairs
(32 chromosomes)
90
7.11 sex determination
What could cause an excessive number of diploid males to occur? 2
1. In breeding
2. Shortage of sperm due to inadequate mating or age
91
7.11 sex determination
How is a diploid male treated by a colony of honeybees 1
It is eaten as soon as the egg hatches resulting in pepperpot brood pattern
92
7.11 sex determination
Please circle the correct answer: What is the natural fate of diploid drones? a) failure to fly b) gynandromorphy c) eviction by workers d) destroyed on hatching. 1
Destroyed on hatching.
93
7.11 sex determination
Describe briefly the genetic basis of sex determination 7
1. The drone develops from an unfertilised egg and has only 16 chromosomes from the queen (no father)
2. A fertilised egg is diploid and has 32 chromosomes and will usually develop into a worker/queen
3. Sex alleles are present in the honeybee. With multiple matings, only diploid females are produced
4. When the two sex allels are different, heterogygous females are produced
5. However, when the two sex alleles are identical (Homozygous), diploid males are produced - usually the result of in breeding.
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7.11 sex determination
In a honeybee colony which bee is hemizygous
The drone
95
7.11 sex determination
What type of bee results from parthenogenesis? 1
Drone
96
7.11 sex determination
How does parthenogenesis affect inheritance in honey bees 3
Drones have no fathers and so half the queen's heritable traits are passed on in tact.
97
7.11 sex determination
How does parthenogenesis affect the resulting progeny? 5
To be sorted
98
Which country is identified as the original source of Apis mellifera ligustica? 1
The Italian honey bee - from the continental part of Italy.
99
List what is known and uncertain about Drone Congregation Areas (DCAs)? 10
1. These are places where drones fly most of the time after leaving the nest.
2. 30-200 m in diameter; 15-40 m above ground.
3. Drones fly back and forth in this area producing audible sound similar to a swarm of bees.
4. Drones can choose among many DCA near the apiary. During its life a drone can visit different ones. Sometimes more than one DCA is visited by the same drone during one day
5. The same place can be chosen as DCAs year after year; it is not known what makes such places attractive to drones.
6. The choise may relate to perception of Earth's magnetic or visual features on the ground.
7. Usually there is an open space around DCA without trees or hills. Sometimes it is located over water or forest.
8. Formation of DCAs can be affected by pheromones produced by drones
9. Artificial DCAs can be induced with large amounts of queen substance.
10. In order to confirm presence of DCA, caged queen fixed to a balloon is placed in mid-air. Presence of DCA is indicated by drones congregating around the caged queen.
11. DCA can be also observed using radar.
12. To reach DCA drones travel up to 7 km and cross mountain ridges 800-1000 m high
13. Mean flight distance of drones is 900 m .
14. The drones prefer DCA located close to the nest.
15. Number of drones present at DCA depends on weather and time of day. It can range from few hundred to few thousand.
16. Distance above the ground where queen is attractive to drones differed between days and it is probably affected by weather .
17. Drones at DCA may not be related and represent about many local colonies.
18. The same DCA can be visited by different subspecies but timing of the visits can be different.
19. The concentration of drones is highest in the centre of DCA.
20. The diameter of DCA at higher distance from the ground is smaller and its centre is not always in the same place at different heights .
21. Drones fly to the DCA along tree rows and other features of landscape at maximum hight above ground 21 m.
22. Neighbouring DCA are often connected by flyways.
23. Queen is attractive to drones only within DCA. If queen is few meters outside the DCA (both in horizontal and vertical direction) drones stop pursuing her.
24. It was suggested that drones visiting DCA release a pheromone which is attractive to queens.
25. Drones collected at DCA can be used to monitor the surrounding population. This can be useful in honey bee conservation areas and for monitoring population density.
100
Describe a Drone Congregation Area (DCA) 10
* Airspace 15-25m above ground where D congregate and fly around indep of Q(s)
* at least 100m from apiary
* Open/hilly ground sheltered from wind if poss
* Magnetic attraction? - magnetite in trophocytes in gut
* Mandib gland attracts D and Q
* Diameter 30-100m
* Attracts 12 to 10k drones
* from 5-6km radius (av 1km)
* Minimises inbreeding
* Mating height 10-40m av (can be less) inversely propotional to wind speed
101
What are thought to be the advantages of the existence of DCAs for the honeybees? 4
1. Same height, area and location seems to be used every year so perhaps genetically drones and queens are programmed to find it.
2. Queens vunerable to predators on mating flights. Therefore a short flight time to special areas with sufficient drones to mate minimises time away from hive increasing her chances of survival
3. Drones find and patrol in the DCA waiting for a queen, then compete to copulate with her so only drones with the fastest, fittest and best suited genes mate with the visiting queens, enhancing the continuing gene pool
4. Congregation of sexually mature drones from many different colonies ensures a genetic mix for the queen and reducing the chances of inbreeding
102
At what age in days after emergence is a drone considered to be sexually mature? 1
14 days old, ideally includes five good flying days
103
Explain the term ‘haploid’ and ‘endophallic eversion’ with reference to honeybees? 4
1. Haploid is the number of chromosomes in the gamets, generally half the number in the somatic cells
2. Honey bee drones contain only one set of chromosomes from the mother and are haploid.
3. Endophallic eversion is designed for extremely rapid mating on the wing. During the first 1–2 seconds of mating a drones’ endophallus is turned inside out and inserted into the queens’ vagina. Once everted, the drone is paralyzed, flipping backwards as he ejaculates. The bulb of the endophallus is broken off inside of the queen during mating.
104
Label the queen's repro system - BE ABLE TO DRAW this.
A Avaroile
B Ovaries
C Lateral Oviduct
D Common/median oviduct
E Valve Fold
F Vaginal orifice
G Spermatheca
H Spermathecal Gland
I Spermathecal Duct
105
What is spermatogenesis? 1
Spermatogenesis, the origin and development of the sperm cells within the male reproductive organs, the testes.
106
Define the expression ‘line breeding’ in relation to the honeybee?
The breeder selects future progeny from the best stock within the available population.
107
During which technique would a bee breeder use carbon dioxide gas? 1
Instrumental Insemination
108
What is the international marking colour for a queen raised in any given year 1
Will You Raise Good Bees
WYRGB
12345
67890
If you are given a queen of a given colour in a particular year, work backwards (obviously) to find the year she was born.
109
What gas is used in instrumental insemination? 1
Carbon dioxide
110
Give the full latin name of one sub-species of honey bees.
Apis mellifera mellifera
111
Is it possible for the British Black bee and the African bee (Apis mellifera scutellata) to mate and produce viable offspring? Explain your answer
Yes. However, NY effort to cross-breed virgin European queens with Africanized drones will result in the offspring exhibiting Africanized traits; only 26 escaped swarms in 1957, and nearly six decades later there does not appear to be a lessening to any noticeable degree of the typical Africanized characteristics.
