Produção de zangões de Apis mellifera L. africanizada (Hymenoptera: Apidae): adaptações para programas de melhoramento genético de abelhas

Abstract

The standardization of male-controlled production protocols can be useful for breeding programs in Brazil that aim studies on additive genetic variation and inbreeding in honey bees. Knowing the origin of the drone, it is possible to control and standardize the production of drones, so the production can be carried out at any time of the year, having a selection with superior genetics. Therefore, the objective of this work was to standardize a drone production protocol by means of the oviposition of virgin queens, induced with carbon dioxide. The study was carried out at the Federal Technological University of Paraná, Campus Dois Vizinhos with a group of 30 virgin queens underwent treatment with carbon dioxide (20), and without carbon dioxide (10) for 24 hours. Then they were introduced into orphaned colonies, and monitored for 20 days for the acceptance and oviposition of eggs that gave rise to males. Despite the low acceptance of queens by the colonies in both treatments, the gas had no influence on this process. Regarding oviposition, the treatment with carbon dioxide seems to positively influence the oviposition of eggs that gave rise to males, by virgin queens. However, for a protocol to be established, adjustments in the age of introduction of queens into the colonies could increase the likelihood of acceptance and consequent oviposition.