Energy metabolism of European (Apis mellifera carnica) and Egyptian (A-m. lamarckii) honeybees

Two geographical subspecies of the honeybee Apis mellifera, the European be e A. m. carnica and the Egyptian bee A. m. lamarckii, were investigated by direct calorimetry. Maximum, mean and minimum heat production rates were de termined for groups of 6 bees as a function of temperature and daytime. Sma ller Egyptian subspecies showed significantly higher mass specific metaboli c rates than the European one. Maximum and mean heat production rates decre ased exponentially with growing temperatures while the minimum values remai ned constant.