Workers of honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) reared in small-cell combs in apiary conditions show higher activity of the proteolytic system and lower protein concentrations on the cuticle surface than workers reared in standard-cell combs

This study is a continuation of innovative research on the impact of the simultaneous use of standard- and small-cell combs in bee colonies on the characteristics of worker bees and bee colonies. The nests of these colonies had two types of combs: small-cell (approximate cell width/size of 4.90 mm) and standard-cell (approximate cell width/size of 5.50 mm). The aim of the study was to compare the activities of proteases and their inhibitors present on the cuticle of workers reared in small-cell combs (SMC workers) and standard-cell combs (STC workers) in colonies kept simultaneously in standard- and small-cell combs. The width/size of comb cells in which the workers were reared had a significant effect on protein concentrations and activities of the proteolytic system, i.e. proteases and their inhibitors, on the cuticle surface. Regardless of the age of the workers (1 day, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days), the protein concentrations were statistically significantly higher (p≤0.01) in the STC than SMC workers. The opposite was found in the case of the activities of proteases and their inhibitors: regardless of the age of the bees, the activities were significantly higher in the SMC workers. The differences between workers reared in small-cell combs and those reared in standard-cell combs may be responsible for their predispositions to perform different tasks in the colony. In our opinion, workers reared in small-cell combs are more predisposed to work as foragers outside the nest. However, this hypothesis requires confirmation in further research.