How to test for hygienic behavior
This method is taken from “A sustainable approach to controlling honey beediseases and varroa mites” Availablehttp://www.sare.org/publications/factsheet/0305.htm May 20, 2008.
Materials
3 in. cylinder (PVC pipe)
10-15 oz liquid nitrogen (easily obtained from welding supplier)
Liquid nitrogen tank
Frame with more than 3 inches diameter sealed brood(Fewer than 30 unsealed brood in the circle)
Empty super
Thumbtack
Instructions
Lay frame across empty super. Twist cylinder into sealed brood untilit reaches midrib. Record the number of unsealed cells inside thecylinder. Pour 1.5 to 2.0 oz of the liquid nitrogen into the cylinder andwait for it to freeze the edges or evaporate. Then pour the remainder ofthe liquid nitrogen into the cylinder. Wait to remove the cylinder untilit thaws (3-5 minutes). Put a thumbtack on the top of the frame to markthe frame and the location of the test on the frame. Some hygienic colonies clean and repair the comb so quickly that it is hard to locatethe test when you return. Place the frame back in its box.
Remove the frame containing the frozen brood 48 hours later andrecord the number of sealed cells remaining within the circle.Bees are considered “hygienic” if they remove >95% of the brood ontwo consecutive tests. This trait is highly heritable and will help hivesbecome resistant to diseases and mites.
