%0 Journal Article
%T Queen Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Production Using Grafting Method and Non-Grafting System
%A Carlos Castellanos-Zacar¨ªas
%A Á
%A lvaro Dom¨ªnguez-Rebolledo
%A Roberto Zamora-Bustillos
%A Jorge Vivas-Rodr¨ªguez
%A Juan Baeza-Rodr¨ªguez
%A Julio Ram¨®n-Ugalde
%A Henry Loeza-Concha
%J Open Access Library Journal
%V 12
%N 11
%P 1-10
%@ 2333-9721
%D 2025
%I Open Access Library
%R 10.4236/oalib.1114411
%X Currently, most beekeepers replace queens artificially by employing selection and genetic improvement through methods (grafting) or systems (non-grafting) to achieve higher yield and productivity in colonies. However, there is a lack of information regarding the acceptance and oviposition rates of queens reared by both methods in the tropical region. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of queen bee rearing methods, non-grafting (Nicot), and grafting (Doolittle) on the reproductive phenotypic characteristics of Apis mellifera L. A completely randomized design was used to evaluate six colonies with two rearing methods for queen bee production with three replicates per method from October to December 2024. Colonies were supplemented with 1 L of sugar syrup and 50 g of a protein supplement in paste form. The results showed that the Doolittle method was superior (P < 0.001) in larval acceptance (90 % vs. 70 %), queen cell size (20 mm vs. 19 mm), emerged queens (80 % vs. 45 %), weight (195 mg vs. 180 mg) and laying (677 eggs vs. 441 eggs), compared to the Nicot system (70%; 19 mm; 45%; 180 mg; 441 eggs, respectively). In conclusion, the Doolittle method proved more effective in queen bee rearing, optimizing parameters such as weight and larval acceptance. These findings underscore the importance of adapting beekeeping strategies to environmental conditions, including implementing supplemental feeding to ensure productivity and quality in queen bee rearing.
%K Apis mellifera
%K Queen Bees
%K Queen Rearing
%K Doolittle Method
%K Nicot System
%U http://www.oalib.com/paper/6877271