Voloshchuk I. Optimization productive use of queen bees

The thesis presents the results of studies of reproductive function of queen bees, the changes of their egg production during the season and depending on the age characteristics. The functional activity of queen bees in extracting honey conditions of left-bank step-forest area lasts from late March till early October. The amount of brood cells, according to a systematic account during the season is 182,45 - 190,39 thousand, which equals to a mass of about 19 kg of bees reared in a family. The Ukrainian breed queen bees are characterized by the consistently high egg production during the summer extracting honey period, this egg production isn't suppressed by bees activities on the food stocks harvesting. During the second period from late May till the first decade of July queen bees lay no less than 1568 eggs per day keeping this level 2068 - 2200 eggs per day for a long time. The amount of brood cells in family group and queen bees of the first year equals 82,344 thousand, the second year queen bees - 89,508 thousand and the third year queen bees - 77,040 thousand. The common feature the use of the first year queen bees, the second and the third year queen bees is the ability to exhibit superior egg production in mid-summer, in the first decade of June and early July. The changes in the functional load of queen bees are characterized by the ratio of eggs amount due to the seasonal periods to the entire amount of egg mass - in spring (till June 1st) is 30,12%, during the summer extracting honey period (50 days) is 47,02% and during the ideal period of bee rearing for winter (since July 20th) is 28, 86%. The late summer overall decline in reproductive function of queen bees occurs in varying degrees depending on their age. . During the build-up of bees for winter season the young queen bees layed 19,91 thousand of eggs, the second year queen bees - 13,45 thousand of eggs, and the third year queen bees - 12,56 thousand of eggs. The histological studies reveal age-related changes in ovaries as to the loose structure of the egg tubules layer which can be one of the signs of the weakening function of oogenesis and oviposition due to the queen bees aging in the third year of life. The main way of keeping healthy honey-bee colony is replacement the queen bees during the summer of the third season of their use.