Determination of Apis mellifera L., 1758 winter resistance according to catalase activity in the Kama Urals

Melliferous bees Apis mellifera mellifera L., 1758 historically settled down on the territory of the Kama Ural region. Under conditions of this region they have acquired a whole set of adaptation characteristics contributing to the survival during lasting winter (up to 7 months). At present, certain beekeepers are bringing another subtype of melliferous bees to the Kama Ural region - Apis mellifera carnica var ukrainica carpatica (next A. m. carpatica). They have a number of positive characteristics: peacefulness and a longer proboscis. However, not all organisms are able to adapt to new environmental conditions. One of protective mechanisms in the winter period is the process of excretion of the catalase enzyme by rectal glands. Its role is to prevent septic processes in the rectum which is extremely important as bees do not leave a beehive in the winter period and undigested remains are accumulated in their intestines. In 2011-2014 we carried out a research on the bees of autumn generation. Some samples of local A. m. mellifera and imported A. m. carpatica bees. We defined the dynamics of fecal load according to the weight of a rectum and determined catalase activity in intestines of bees by titrimetic method. We discovered that at the beginning of the winter period the weight of a rectum of the subtypes under research did not significantly differ: A. m. mellifera has 16.13±1.77 mg, A. m. carpatica has 17.60±0.88 mg. Since January we have marked authentic differences in mass: A. m. mellifera - 24.08±1.13 mg, A. m. carpatica - 29.17±2.36 mg. The maximum values were marked in March: A. m. mellifera - 34.6±1.62 mg, A. m. carpatica - 44.5±1.42 mg. Considerable filling of A. m. carpatica rectum indicates a greater activity during the winter period. The activity of catalase in the winter period in the Kama Urals has a certain dynamics: reduction in the parameters from the beginning of the winter period to the middle and an increase by the end of catalase. A high activity of catalase is marked at the beginning of the period of rest and makes up: A. m. mellifera - 9.64±0.3 mcmol/min/mg,A. m. carpatica 1.2 times more - 12.22±0.2 mcmol/min/mg. By January the activity of catalase decreases: A. m. mellifera - 1.9 times and stays stable for two months - January and February, A. m. carpatica - 2.1 times but in February it increases again. The highest activity of catalase is marked at A. m. mellifera in April - 13.64±0.7 mcmol/min/mg, A. m. carpatica in March - 11.42±0.5 mcmol/min/mg. The present characteristic confirms the data on activation of bees in a family before growing bee brood. Activation of A. m. carpatica takes place earlier which results in an increase in the rate of the rectum filling while insufficient secretion of catalase leads to development of septic processes. As a result, during lasting winter period. A. m. carpatica may have excretion in a beehive before a spring overflight. A. m. mellifera stay in a state of rest longer, produce catalase in necessary amount and use it effectively during the winter period.

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