Comparison of Hygienic and Grooming Behaviors of Indigenous and Exotic Honeybee (Apis mellifera) Races in Central Saudi Arabia

Hygienic and grooming behaviors of native and exotic honeybee races reared in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia were investigated. Both races exhibited different rates of hygienic behavior. After 24 h the removal of dead brood in native race was significantly higher than that of exotic one being 85.28 and 43.84%, respectively. However, after 48 h the native race significantly removed 97.60% of brood, while exotic one removed 79.32%. After 72 h the removal was 99.78 and 93.29% for native and exotic races, respectively. Time consumed to detect and remove dead brood in colonies of the two races was variable i.e., native race differentiated and removed dead brood faster than exotic one. Deformed Varroa mites, as a result of grooming behavior, were significantly higher in colonies of native race than those of exotic one being 31.13 and 11.27%, respectively. Leg-deformed mites in native and exotic colonies were 62.94 and 56.29%, and deformities in dorsal shield were 37.18 and 36.32% for the two races, respectively without significant differences. The remarkable defensive behavior exhibited by the native race, compared to that of exotic one, may be due to its different genetic structure as well as its compatibility with local environmental conditions. © 2012 Friends Science Publishers