The first data on hygienic behavior of Apis mellifera intermissa in Algeria

Abstract

Hygienic behavior is considered as an important factor in selection programs of resistance honey bee mite to Varroa destructor, the objective of this study was to evaluate this behavior Apis mellifera intermissa, the local honey bee race of Algeria. The study was performed on 40 colonies in spring and fall. The results had show a variation in the removal rate of dead brood where it was 91 .56% in spring and, 83.55% in autumn. This is the first test of hygienic behavior in Apis mellifera intermissa in Algeria. We can conclude, that the Algerian local bees are characterized by a good cleaning ability.