LENGTH OF LIFE OF APIS MELLIFERA L.WORKER BEES IN REGION OF BELOZEM (BULGARIA)

Abstract

A survey was made on the length of life of different generations of worker bees reared near Belozem. The study included three colonies, aligned by parameters, housed in 10-frame Langstrot-Ruth hives. It is established that the length of life of bees is closely correlated with the amount of reared brood. The average lifespan of bees in strong families, living in 10-frame Langstrot-Ruth hives near Belozem in a period of intensive rearing of brood is 47 days; the lifespan of wintering bees is almost eight months. The presence of major flowering does not shorten the life of bees. It was found that bees as young as five days old were involved in the main flowering. The August, September and October generations of the families are involved in the winter ball. Complete replacement of wintering bees near Belozem has taken place by the end of the first ten days of May.