Vitamin C supplementation in honeybee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera : Apidae)‎ colonies to improve drone’s quality

Abstract EN

Colony success of honeybee Apis mellifera L.

(Hymenoptera: Apidae) depends partially on the reproductive success of the queen, which in turn directly impacted by drone’s health and fitness.

Drones are reared only during the reproductive season and can be affected by many environmental factors.

The impact of hive supplements on drone fitness and quality is rarely documented but may improve drone reproductive health and colony survival.

In this investigation, feeding sucrose syrup supplemented with vitamin C inserted to colonies in early spring.

Drones assessed after emergence in regarding to body weight, total soluble protein, total carbohydrates content, carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes in addition to sperm number in mature individuals.

The mean body weight, total protein and carbohydrates content of newly emerged drones, as well as sperm numbers of matured drones were significantly (P< 0.05) higher in vitamin C colonies than control ones.

Whereas, insignificant difference was observed in the activities of trehalase, amylase and sucrase enzymes between control and colonies receiving vitamin C as supplement.