Artificial insemination of queen bees under the microscope

Artificial insemination of queen bees under the microscope

Beekeeping is of great importance in the world. By pollinating flowers, honey bees and wild bees make an irreplaceable contribution to securing the food supply and preserving biodiversity. A beekeeper is not only engaged in the production of honey, but also in the propagation and breeding of honey bees. In the stricter sense of the word, however, only very few beekeepers actually breed their bees. This is not least due to the fact that the natural mating of young queens takes place uncontrollably in the air (nuptial flight). So it is inevitable for the beekeeper to carry out a targeted selection by means of artificial instrumental insemination of the queen bees. The use of a microscope is essential for this sensitive process. It enables precise work and faster work, which is also an enormous advantage for the animal. The sperm of the drones (of his choice according to breeding goals, e.g. B. less aggression potential) must be introduced into the genital opening of the queen bee with a small ampoule. First, the queen bee must be held

Beekeepers can inseminate queen bees in a targeted manner - via so-called artificial instrumental insemination - in order to achieve certain breeding goals. A microscope is used to hold the bee and insert the sperm. It enables precise, faster and animal-friendly work