Determination of Annual Colony Development of the Yigilca Local Honeybee in Turkey and Comparison with Apis mellifera caucasica and A.m. anatoliaca Hybrids

Populations of locally adapted honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) have adaptive traits in their native habitat to take maximum advantage of the local flora. In this study, the annual brood production and colony population development of the Yigilca local honeybee colonies in their natural habitat were determined and compared with the other commonly used honeybee hybrids to expose adaptation to local ecological conditions. A total of 34 colonies headed by naturally mated queens were used in the experiment; 10 colonies of Yigilca local honey bee, 12 colonies of A. in. caucasica hybrid and 12 colonies of A. m. anatoliaca hybrid. The present results demonstrated that the Yigilca local honeybee colonies adapted to their local ecological conditions and regulated the brood production and population development according to regional flora. Although there were no differences in the worker populations between the genotype groups at the end of the winter, Yigilca honeybee colonies produce more broods before the main nectar flow and had a larger worker population during period of nectar flow than A.m. anatoliaca and A.m. caucasica hybrids. The results demonstrated that Yigilca local honey bee is a valuable genotype in their native habitat. However, experiments should be repeated at different locations for their use in breeding programs.