Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 25, Number 3, 1994
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|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 331 - 337 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:19940309 | |
Apidologie 25 (1994) 331-337
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19940309
a Office of the Society of Japanese Honeybee, Wakazono-chyo 3-10, Morioka 020, Japan
b Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka 020, Japan
Key words: Apis cerana japonica / drone congregation area / tree topping / Zelkova serrata / reproductive behavior
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19940309
Drone congregation of Apis cerana japonica (Radoszkowski, 1877) above large trees
S. Fujiwaraa, H. Miurab, T. Kumagaib, T. Sawaguchib, S. Nayab, T. Gotob, H. Asanumab and K. Suzukiba Office of the Society of Japanese Honeybee, Wakazono-chyo 3-10, Morioka 020, Japan
b Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Iwate University, Morioka 020, Japan
Abstract - In 3 consecutive years (1990-1992) drones of Apis cerana japonica were observed pursuing queen dummies in a comet-shaped swarm above prominent trees (Zelkova serrata) at a shrine in Morioka, northern Japan. The height of the Zelkova tree was between 17.2 and 22.5 m. Thus, drones of A c japonica aggregate at landmark mating areas like tree tops. Drones were marked at their colonies and some were recaptured at the drone congregation area at a distance of 500 m from their colonies.
Key words: Apis cerana japonica / drone congregation area / tree topping / Zelkova serrata / reproductive behavior