BEENOMIX Project:THE SELECTIVE SCHEMEin summary.

BEENOMIX Project:THE SELECTIVE SCHEMEin summary.

BEENOMIX is a project that aims to develop, in the field of bee production, the introduction of genomic technologies genomic

BEENOMIX is a project that aims to develop, in the field of bee production, the introduction of genomic technologies genomic

Selection goals

The BEENOMIX project has chosen as its selection goals:

  • Hygienic behavior of bees to ensure production of healthier families tolerant to pest infestations;
  • Docility for easier family management;
  • Honey production, a primary source of income;
  • Low propensity for swarming.

Accurate measurement of these phenotypes requires time and considerable material effort. These are also, especially for hygienic behavior, measures that need to be repeated several times to acquire an accurate estimate of character. For this reason, from the time of the first establishment of the family destined to be evaluated, to the time of choosing the best ones as parents of the next generation, more than a year passes.

Thus, the cycle is biennial: in the first year, families are measured and genetically evaluated, and in the second year, breeders are chosen, and virgin drones and queens are produced and taken to a special isolated station for fertilization. Fertilized queens are placed in new nuclei that will be subject to the usual measurements in the following year.

To optimize the scheme, two cycles (A and B) alternate in years.

Selection in bees as in any other species requires:

Setting clear objectives

Measurement of traits (phenotypes) that quantify goals

Processing phenotypes into a genetic indicator of each individual's superiority or inferiority

Selection of individuals with the best genetic index to make the matings that will produce the next generation

Selection goals

The BEENOMIX project has chosen as its selection goals:

  • Hygienic behavior of bees to ensure production of healthier families tolerant to pest infestations;
  • Docility for easier family management;
  • Honey production, a primary source of income;
  • Low propensity for swarming.

Accurate measurement of these phenotypes requires time and considerable material effort. These are also, especially for hygienic behavior, measures that need to be repeated several times to acquire an accurate estimate of character. For this reason, from the time of the first establishment of the family destined to be evaluated, to the time of choosing the best ones as parents of the next generation, more than a year passes.

Thus, the cycle is biennial: in the first year, families are measured and genetically evaluated, and in the second year, breeders are chosen, and virgin drones and queens are produced and taken to a special isolated station for fertilization. Fertilized queens are placed in new nuclei that will be subject to the usual measurements in the following year.

To optimize the scheme, two cycles (A and B) alternate in years.

Selection in bees as in any other species requires:

Setting clear objectives

Measurement of traits (phenotypes) that quantify goals

Processing phenotypes into a genetic indicator of each individual's superiority or inferiority

Selection of individuals with the best genetic index to make the matings that will produce the next generation

Fertilization Site

On July 17, we inspected a fertilization site located in an isolated location in the Lombardy Alps.

Fertilization Site

On July 17, we inspected a fertilization site located in an isolated location in the Lombardy Alps.

Are you interested in our project or would like more information?

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Are you interested in our project or would like more information?

CONTACT US