A new, simple method for rearing diploid drones in the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

Seven Apis mellifera carnica queens were instrumentally inseminated with th e semen of their own sons. Diploid drone offspring of these queens were rai sed using two established techniques including elaborate laboratory manipul ations, and a new approach. The new approach, based on routine beekeeping, uses small mating nuclei, which rear diploid drones to the adult stage late in the season. No labour and cost intensive feeding, nor grafting and incu bation steps are needed. The ploidy level of the drone offspring was evalua ted using seven DNA microsatellites. All drones reared by the elaborate tec hniques and more than 90% of the drones reared in a small mating nucleus we re definitely diploid. This technique allows for easy and simple diploid dr one rearing even in research groups with no sophisticated equipment.