ABSTRACT. Characteristics correlated with beekeeping production, less influenced by the environment and that can be controlled by management techniques, can help in the selection of colonies with higher production capacity, aiming to improve breeding programs. This research was carried out to evaluate the production of Africanized Apis mellifera drones and the longevity of spermatozoa from different genetic groups when supplemented with protein or not. Two genetic groups were used: one selected for royal jelly production from the Africanized honeybee breeding program and another without genetic selection. In both groups, the number of drone brood and the quality of semen were evaluated every 30 days, for five months. Statistical analysis was performed using Bayesian Inference. Statistical difference was found for the drone production among the treatments, and colonies without genetic selection produced more males (187.80 ± 11.15) than the selected colonies (93.07 ± 8.88). The selected colonies for royal jelly production presented greater efficiency in the reproductive cycle of males, because they produced fewer drones than colonies without genetic selection, however, with 31% greater semen viability.

ABSTRACT. The objective of this research was to evaluate royal jelly production from Africanized honeybee queens of different lineages (lineage selected for honey production, lineage selected for royal jelly production and unselected) produced by single and double grafting and to compare royal jelly production among their offspring. Data were tested by double factorial analysis of variance and the means were compared by Tukey test at 5%. The parameters evaluated were: queen weight at emergence, percentage of larvae acceptance in the upper and lower bars, royal jelly per cup (mg) and royal jelly per colony/collection (g). Queens selected for honey presented greater weight at emergence, while the unselected queens were the lightest. Double grafting was better than simple grafting, since the queens were born 2.38% heavier. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in relation to royal jelly production according to neither the lineage nor even comparing the method by which the queens were produced. The cost of labor to produce queens by double grafting was much higher, as by the simple grafting about 170% more queens were born. The potential of Africanized honeybees with adequate production management and favorable environmental conditions favors the production of royal jelly.

ABSTRACT. This research was carried out to evaluate the royal jelly production in two trials. In Trial I, three genotypes of Africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) were submitted to royal jelly production with two types of cups of different size and volume (conventional and Chinese model) and two types of supplements (commercial and formulated). A total of 24 colonies were used, two bars with different cups each, alternating between the upper or lower position of the frame. While in Trial II, 18 colonies, two genotypes, two types of cups and two types of supplement were tested. The evaluated parameters were: percentage of larvae accepted in upper and lower bars, royal jelly per cup (mg), and royal jelly per colony/collection (g). Chinese cups were not well accepted, fact that influenced in a negative way the production of general form, selected colonies were more sensible to the change of cups. Colonies of Africanized honeybees are not prepared to produce in cups of greater volume.

O objetivo foi analisar o nível de invasão do ácaro nas pupas, a taxa de infestação do ácaro nas abelhas adultas, as taxas de reprodução total e efetiva do ácaro em colônias de abelhas africanizadas e se esses níveis são influenciados pela produção de geleia real ou mel. As taxas de invasão nas pupas e infestação nas abelhas adultas não apresentaram diferença estatística entre os tratamentos, as médias para esses parâmetros foram 5,79 e 8,54%, respectivamente. As colônias submetidas à produção de mel apresentaram maior nível de reprodução total e efetiva (p < 0,05) do ácaro em relação às colônias produtoras de geleia real. Houve correlação negativa dos níveis de invasão nas pupas e infestação nas abelhas adultas com a temperatura externa mínima, umidade relativa do ar e precipitação. As variáveis mês e o período do ano influenciaram o desenvolvimento do parasita, entretanto, as taxas obtidas foram baixas e dentro dos valores normalmente encontrados no Brasil para abelhas africanizadas.

This study evaluated the level of invasion of Varroa mite into worker brood cells, the infestation rate on adult worker honeybees, total and effective reproduction rates of the mite in Africanized honeybee colonies under royal jelly or honey production. Invasion and infestation rates were not statistically different between honeybee colonies producing honey or royal jelly and the averages for these parameters were 5.79 and 8.54%, respectively. Colonies producing honey presented a higher (p < 0.05) total and effective reproduction of Varroathan colonies producing royal jelly. There was a negative correlation between levels of invasion and infestation with minimum external temperature, relative humidity and rainfall. The variables month and season influenced the development of the mite, but rates were low and within the range normally found in Brazil for Africanized honeybee colonies, which confirm the greater resistance of these honeybees to Varroa destructor than European honeybees.