Some characteristics of honeybee <i>Apis mellifera carnica</i> (Hymenoptera: Apidae) drones produced from six different Governorates in Egypt

Some characteristics of honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) drones produced from some locations in Egypt were studied. For this purpose, drones from six different governorates if Egypt were used: Al Menofia (Ashmon), Al Qalyubia (Shubra Alkemyah), Cairo (Al Mokattam), Al Giza (Dokki), Al Fayoum (Elkabi), and Benisueif (Beba). The drones used in the study were reared in experimental colonies under spring season conditions. The measured parameters were. Drone body weights, both the length andthe width of right wings, and the length for each seminal vesicle and mucus gland, as well as the total amount of sperm (x106 ). The obtained results indicated that the mean weight of drones from Al Menofia (0.198±0.03 mg) and Benisueif (0.188±0.02 mg) occupied the1st category. Drones of Cairo (0.184±0.02 mg) and Fayoum (0.179±0.02 mg) occupied the 2nd category. The diameters of the right forewings of El Fayoum drones (12.437±0.11 mm for length and 3.949±0.27 mm for width) were higher than those of drones from other areas. The length of right hind wings of Benisueif drones (8.272±0.39 mm) and the width of right hind wings of Al Menofia (3.874±0.01) occupied the 1st rank. Drones of Cairo occupied the 1st rank in each of the average number of spermatozoa in seminal vesicles (7.300±3.09 x106 ) and the length of mucus gland (5.267±0.31). Statistical analyses proved that there were significant differences between the values of these two parameters and those of other areas. In conclusion, drones of Cairo represented the most suitable, where they occupied the 1st category in the reproductive organ characteristics and the 2nd category for each of body weight and length of seminal vesicles.