scholarly journals Trade-offs between sperm viability and immune protein expression in honey bee queens (Apis mellifera)

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison McAfee ◽  
Abigail Chapman ◽  
Jeffery S. Pettis ◽  
Leonard J. Foster ◽  
David R. Tarpy
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Sperm Viability ◽  
Social Hymenoptera ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Immune Effector ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

AbstractQueens of many social hymenoptera keep sperm alive within their specialized storage organ, the spermatheca, for years, defying the typical trade-off between lifespan and reproduction. However, whether honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens experience a trade-off between reproduction and immunity is unknown, and the biochemical processes underlying sperm viability are poorly understood. Here, we survey quality metrics and viral loads of honey bee queens from nine genetic sources. Queens rated as ‘failed’ by beekeepers had lower sperm viability, fewer sperm, and higher levels of sacbrood virus and black queen cell virus. Quantitative proteomics on N = 123 spermathecal fluid samples shows, after accounting for sperm count, health status, and apiary effects, five spermathecal fluid proteins significantly correlating with sperm viability: odorant binding protein (OBP)14, lysozyme, serpin 88Ea, artichoke, and heat-shock protein (HSP)10. The significant negative correlation of lysozyme—a conserved immune effector—with sperm viability is consistent with a reproduction vs. immunity trade-off in honey bee queens.

scholarly journals Trade-offs between sperm viability and immune protein expression in honey bee queens (Apis mellifera)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison McAfee ◽  
Abigail Chapman ◽  
Jeffery S Pettis ◽  
Leonard J Foster ◽  
David R Tarpy
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Sperm Viability ◽  
Social Hymenoptera ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Immune Effector ◽  
Viral Loads ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

AbstractQueens of many social hymenoptera keep sperm alive within their specialized storage organ, the spermatheca, for years, defying the typical trade-off between lifespan and reproduction. However, whether honey bee queens experience a trade-off between reproduction and immunity is unknown, and the biochemical processes underlying sperm viability are poorly understood. Here, we survey quality metrics and viral loads of honey bee queens from nine genetic sources. Queens rated as ‘failed’ by beekeepers had lower sperm viability, fewer sperm, and higher levels of SBV and BQCV. Quantitative proteomics on N = 123 spermathecal fluid samples shows, after accounting for sperm count, health status, and apiary effects, five spermathecal fluid proteins significantly correlating with sperm viability: odorant binding protein (OBP)14, lysozyme, serpin 88Ea, artichoke, and heat-shock protein (HSP)10. The significant negative correlation of lysozyme—a conserved immune effector—with sperm viability is consistent with a reproduction vs. immunity trade-off in honey bee queens.

Time-accuracy trade-off and task partitioning of hygienic behavior among honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine R. Barrs ◽  
M. Omar Ani ◽  
Kimberlyn K. Eversman ◽  
Jonathan T. Rowell ◽  
Kaira M. Wagoner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Hygienic Behavior ◽  
Task Partitioning ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Time Accuracy ◽  
And Task

scholarly journals Variation in floret size explains differences in wild bee visitation to cultivated sunflowers

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 498-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zoe M. Portlas ◽  
Jonathan R. Tetlie ◽  
Deirdre Prischmann-Voldseth ◽  
Brent S. Hulke ◽  
Jarrad R. Prasifka
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Inbred Lines ◽  
Floral Traits ◽  
Pollinator Visitation ◽  
Wild Bee ◽  
Residual Variation ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Nectar Rewards

AbstractWild and managed bees are needed to move sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) pollen, both to create hybrid seed and to encourage high, consistent yields when those hybrids are subsequently grown. Among floral traits that influence bee preference, floret size may be critical, as the depth of the corolla affects the accessibility of nectar. Sampling and observation of inbred maintainer (HA) lines were used to assess variation in floret size, and to measure any effects of floret size on pollinator visitation. Among 100 inbreds sampled, there was significant variation among the lines, with floret lengths of 6.8–9.9 mm. Floret length, measured before anthesis, was closely related to corolla depth during anthesis and was consistent between 2 years (environments). Pollinator observations on 30 inbred lines showed floret size explained a majority (52%) of the variation in wild bee preference, with a reduction in floret length of 2 mm more than doubling pollinator activity. Though honey bee, Apis mellifera L., colonies were located ≈ 60 m from the plots, near-zero honey bee activity in the sunflowers precluded an assessment of how strongly this managed pollinator is affected by floret length. Production of inbreds and hybrids with smaller florets could enhance sunflower pollination, but genetic markers for floret size are needed to facilitate selection, and an understanding of potential trade-offs also is required. Information on variation and heritability of other traits, such as pollen and nectar rewards, could help explain residual variation in wild bee visitation to sunflowers.

scholarly journals The physical, insemination, and reproductive quality of honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.)

Apidologie ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Delaney ◽  
Jennifer J. Keller ◽  
Joel R. Caren ◽  
David R. Tarpy
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

scholarly journals Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) drone sperm quality in relation to age, genetic line, and time of breeding

2015 ◽  
Vol 147 (6) ◽  
pp. 702-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrée Rousseau ◽  
Valérie Fournier ◽  
Pierre Giovenazzo
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Sperm Viability ◽  
Sperm Number ◽  
Genetic Line ◽  
Semen Volume ◽  
Time Of Breeding ◽  
Honey Bee Queen

AbstractA honey bee (Apis mellifera Linnaeus; Hymenoptera: Apidae) queen’s life expectancy is strongly dependent on the number of sperm she obtains by mating with drones during nuptial flights. Unexplained replacement of queens by the colony and young queens showing sperm depletions have been reported in North America, and reduced drone fertility has been a suspected cause. The aim of this study was to evaluate drone reproductive qualities during the queen-rearing season, from May to August. Drones from two different genetic lines were reared six times during the 2012 beekeeping season at our research centre in Québec (Canada). Semen volume as well as sperm number and viability were assessed at the ages of 14, 21, and 35 days. Results showed (1) a greater proportion of older drones with semen at the tip of the genitalia after eversion; (2) an influence of rearing date on semen production; and (3) no influence of drone genetic line, age or time of breeding on sperm viability. These results highlight the necessity of better understanding drone rearing and how it can be improved to ensure optimum honey-bee queen mating.

scholarly journals Effect of Different Substrates on the Acceptance of Grafted Larvae in Commercial Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Queen Rearing

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia A. Contreras-Martinez ◽  
Francisca Contreras-Escareño ◽  
José O. Macias-Macias ◽  
Jose M. Tapia-Gonzalez ◽  
Tatiana Petukhova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Acceptance Rate ◽  
Coconut Water ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Queen Rearing ◽  
Honey Bee Queens

Abstract The need for the increased production of honey bee (Apis mellifera) queens has led beekeepers to use different substrates in artificial queen cups where larvae destined to become queens are deposited (grafting). However, not enough scientific evidence exists that indicates that this practice is useful and what substance offers the best results. This study was conducted to determine with the Doolittle queen rearing method the acceptance rate of larvae deposited on different substrates during grafting and to determine if the sugar content and pH of the substrates used affect the acceptance of larvae in cell builder colonies. The evaluated substrates were coconut water, apple nectar, royal jelly, cola soda and distilled water, plus control (without substrate). Grafted larvae of the six treatments were introduced into cell builder colonies and their acceptance verified after 72 h. Apple nectar provided the highest rate of larvae acceptance with 81.06%, followed by cola soda with 62.93%, coconut water with 60.90%, royal jelly with 57.82% and distilled water with 58.99%. The larvae acceptance rates of all substrates were significantly higher than the control, which had an acceptance rate of 47.04%. No significant relationship was found between the sugar content of the substrates and larvae acceptance. However, although not significant, a high negative correlation was found between the substrate pH and the number of accepted larvae (Rho = - 0.90, p = 0.07). These results suggest that the use of liquid acidic substrates during larvae grafting, in particular apple nectar, may increase the production of honey bee queens.

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