Ajao MA; Oladimeji YU; Babatunde, SK and Obembe A. (2014). Morphometric Characteristics of Apis mellifera L (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Kwara State, Nigeria. International Lournal of Agricultural Sciences Vol. (4)4: 171-175
ABSTRACT
Honey bee structures play significant role in its foraging and pollination activity making it the most economically valuable insect. The study was conducted at Beekeeping, Training and Research Centre (BTRC), Amberi, Ajasse-ipo, Irepodun Local Government (LGA) Area of Kwara State, Nigeria. Three hundred (300) worker honeybee samples were randomly collected from thirty (30) colonies at study location. In addition, four hundred (400) worker honeybees were randomly selected from eight LGAs of Kwara State, Nigeria. The worker honey bee samples were preserved in 70% ethanol and were dissected to separate body parts. Ten morphologic characters were measured: Head Length (HDL), Proboscis Length (PBL), Thorax Length (TOL), Antenna Length (ATL), Abdomen Length (ABL), Forewing Length (FWL), Hind Wing Length (HWL), Fore-Leg Length (FLL), Mid-Leg Length (MLL) and Hind-Leg Length (HLL). The results for the 10 external morphologic characteristics measured showed the hind-leg length to be 12.07mm, fore-wing length (9.542mm) and the head length (4.53mm). The result of values obtained for the wet season was HLL 12.07mm, FWL 9.542mm and MLL 8.338mm, while for the dry season HLL 12.06mm, FWL 9.530mm and MLL 8.30mm. It is imperative from the result of this study that beekeepers should monitor and be conversant with growth, development and adaptive indexes so as to check the normal development taking place within the bee’s population.
Key words: Morphologic characters, adaptive indexes, bee growth, development, Apis mellifera L.