Effect of queen cell size on morphometric characteristics of queen honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera ligustica</i>)

Rearing techniques are important to determine a successful honey bee production. Queen cell cup size may affect the acceptance rate of grafted larvae and queen’s size, which in turn influence quality colonies. The present study compared effect different queen sizes (8.0 vs 9.0 mm diameter) on morphometric characteristics bees. Sixty-five were each treatment. Larvae transfer was carried out five times, June August 2019. Head, thorax abdomen width newly emerged queens measured using an electronic calliper, weight three segments recorded precision scale. All traits accepted significantly (p < .001) higher raised larger cups, except for head width. Principal Component Analysis shows values PC1 (58.4% explained variance) cups. Highest loadings found variables related parts. Among many factors affecting quality, seems have positive queens’ body parts weights.HIGHLIGHTSIncreasing standard diameter conventional cups allows rearing heavier queens.The grafting period affects parameters, with last decade June.