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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 14 Jun 2001 19:24:37 EDT
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The usual wing vein measurements to determine race are the cubital and
discoidal indices.  Have they been published for Apis mellifera scutellata?

The measurements are easy to do if you use the scales published by the BIBBA
(the Bee Improvement and Bee Breeders Association).  Slightly less easy but
not difficult is to mount a series of wings on a glass slide using double
sided sticky tape and projecting onto a wall.  Use a ruler to measure
accurately between the vein junctions and divide one number into the other
with a calculator.  Plot the results onto a graph and look up the book to see
what you have.

If you are computerised you can put the slide onto a scanner and enlarge the
wings on screen or print out. Somebody is working on a computer program to do
the calculations automatically.  You can download existing software from
BIBBA.

This method is used to recognise ligustica and distinguish it from carnica or
mellifera and to detect hybrids.

It can be done in the privacy of your own home and you don't need to tell
anybody the results if you don't want to.

Chris

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