Comparison of Swarming Tendency and Defensive Behavior of Yigilca Local and Other Commonly Used Honeybee Genotypes in Turkey

In this study, swarming tendency and defensive behavior of Yigilca local honeybee were determined and compared with other commonly used honeybee genotypes in Turkey. Colonies were headed by naturally mated queens and 10 colonies of Yigilca local honeybee, 12 colonies of of Apis mellifera caucasica cross and 12 colonies of of Apis mellifera anatoliaca cross were used in the experiment. In swarming season, Yigilca honeybee colonies constructed more queen cells (49.86 +/- 18.00) than both A.m. anatoliaca cross (13.00 +/- 7.00) and A.m. caucasica (8.00 +/- 1.15) cross colonies. Similarly, according to results of sting test, the highest number of stings was determined in Yigilca honeybee colonies (18.38 +/- 4.24), followed by A.m. anatoliaca (5.50 +/- 2.15) and A.m. caucasica (3.75 +/- 0.62) crosses. Results showed that Yigilca local honeybee genotype has a more swarming tendency and is more defensive than A.m. anatoliaca and A.m. caucasica crosses.