Automatic queen bee changing device and method for traditional feeding of Chinese bees

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic queen bee changing device and method for traditional feeding of apis cerana. The automatic queen bee changing device for traditional Chinese bee feeding comprises a hive, the hive is provided with a hive entrance, a queen bee cage is arranged at the top of the hive, a queen bee automatic separator communicated with the hive entrance is arranged at the hive entrance, and the queen bee automatic separator is communicated with the queen bee cage through a hose through which bees can normally pass. In addition, a queen bee check baffle is arranged at an inlet of the queen bee cage. The non-return baffles are two non-return elastic pieces arranged at a queen bee inlet of the queen bee cage, and the two non-return elastic pieces are oppositely arranged, obliquely stretch out towards the interior of the queen bee cage and form an inlet triangle. And the outside of the queen bee cage is covered with a light shielding part. By means of the device and the method, the queen bee can be stably replaced within about one year, it is guaranteed that the egg laying force of the queen bee cannot be reduced, and good group potential and collection enthusiasm are maintained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device and method for replacing the queen of Chinese bees, and in particular to a device and method for automatically replacing the queen of Chinese bees raised in a traditional way. Background Art

[0002] Chinese honey bee ( Apis cerana cerana Apis mellifera (Apis cerana) is a widely distributed native bee species in China. It has the characteristics of long honey collection time, good use of scattered honey and pollen sources, strong adaptability and resistance to adversity. It plays an irreplaceable role in China's ecosystem, agricultural pollination and beekeeping. With the development of the Western honey bee ( Apis mellifera Since the introduction and rapid development of the honey bee (Apis mellifera), which was introduced in 1920, research has largely focused on the Western honey bee, with relatively little research on the Chinese honey bee. This is particularly true regarding the husbandry and management of the Chinese honey bee. Thousands of years of traditional husbandry practices have been followed by reference to the movable frame management techniques of the Western honey bee, without any specific husbandry and management techniques specifically tailored to the Chinese honey bee. However, the biological learning characteristics of the Chinese honey bee differ significantly from those of the Western honey bee, particularly its preference for quiet, irritability, tendency to form clusters, small colonies, swarming, and flight. If managers continue to follow Western honey bee husbandry and management practices, with excessive human interference, frequent opening of nests for inspection, inappropriate addition of honeycombs, or large bee paths, these practices violate the Chinese honey bee's preference for a dark, quiet environment. This translates into excessive management, tantamount to forcing growth by artificially guiding and regulating the colony's self-development. This is like forcing growth, with the potential to outweigh the benefits. Not only will the colony develop slowly, but it will also cause flight. As a result, many beekeepers have been forced to switch from live-frame rearing to traditional rearing. However, one of the biggest drawbacks of traditional rearing is the inability to replace the queen, requiring only natural swarming or mother-daughter replacement. Failure to harvest natural swarms not only results in a loss of worker bees and honey, but more importantly, the colony weakens and loses its production capacity due to the subsequent swarming. Mother-daughter replacement occurs over a very long period of time. Queens live for 6-7 years, and only queens under one year old are at their peak of egg production and colony control. By the time mother-daughter replacement occurs, the egg production and colony maintenance abilities of queens from the previous few years are significantly reduced. Therefore, from a production perspective, if a queen is not replaced for about a year, her egg production and colony maintenance abilities decline. Therefore, traditional rearing also requires annual queen replacement to ensure that a new queen is maintained during production. A new queen is more productive, maintains a healthy colony, and actively collects brood, which in turn increases honey production and thus improves economic efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, the present invention proposes an automatic queen changing device for traditionally reared Chinese bees.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a device for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese honey bee breeding, comprising a hive with a hive entrance. The device is characterized by a queen cage mounted on top of the hive, an automatic queen separator connected to the hive entrance, and a hose through which bees (including worker bees, drones, and queen bees) can pass. Furthermore, a queen check valve is provided at the entrance to the queen cage. The check valves are two spring plates positioned opposite each other and extending obliquely toward the interior of the queen cage, forming a triangular entrance. The automatic queen separator includes a cover frame for covering the hive entrance. A queen outlet is provided in the middle of the cover frame, which is connected to the hose. A grille is provided on the cover frame, with a slit width greater than the chest height of a worker bee and less than the chest height of a queen bee. Preferably, the queen cage is covered with a light-shielding member.

[0005] Using the above device, a mechanism for imprisoning the queen bee, namely the automatic queen bee separator, hose, and queen cage of the present invention, can be installed at the hive entrance and outside of a traditional Chinese honeybee hive. When the queen is replaced, the new queen cell is placed inside the hive after protection, and the bee colony undergoes a natural swarming phenomenon. When the worker bees separate, the original queen bee will fly out of the hive with the worker bees, while the worker bees can fly outside the hive via the automatic queen bee separator. The original queen bee can only crawl into the queen cage via the hose and become imprisoned. Since the queen bee is imprisoned at the top or side of the hive, the worker bees will soon automatically return to the hive. Once the new queen bee leaves the hive and mates, the queen replacement is successful.

[0006] Preferably, the nest box is a barrel-shaped vertical beehive with an inner diameter of 25-35 cm and an inner height of 45-65 cm.

[0007] The present invention also provides a method for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding using the above-mentioned device, which is characterized by comprising the following steps: Step 1: Select a traditionally reared Chinese honeybee colony that is ready for queen replacement, place a mature queen cell that has emerged from the hive 1-2 days later into a queen cell protector, and then hang the queen cell protector on the honeycomb at the bottom of the hive box. Ensure that the queen cell in the queen cell protector is in a natural state, and the gap of the queen cell protector is smaller than the size of the worker bees to prevent the worker bees from gnawing on the queen cell; Step 2: Install the queen bee automatic separator at the hive door of the hive, fix / install the queen bee cage on the top of the hive, connect the queen bee outlet of the queen bee automatic separator and the queen bee inlet of the queen bee cage with a hose, and cover the outside of the queen bee cage with black cloth; Step 3: As new queen cells appear in the bee colony, the worker bees cannot gnaw on the queen cells, and the bee colony in the hive box will naturally swarm. When the worker bees are ready to swarm and rush out, observe the queen bee automatic separator. If the original queen bee in the bee colony has entered the queen bee cage through the queen bee automatic separator and the hose, then the queen bee did not follow the swarming worker bees out of the bee colony, and the worker bees will automatically return to the hive soon. However, since the queen bee has been imprisoned in the queen bee cage, she cannot return to the original colony. Step 4. Open the queen cell protector and wait for the new queen to leave the cell. If the new queen has already left the cell, open the queen cell protector to release the new queen. After the new queen leaves the cell, she will mate and the queen change is successful. After the new queen leaves the cell or before she recognizes the nest at the latest, remove the queen bee automatic separator, otherwise it will affect the mating of the new queen. It is best to remove it after the original queen is successfully separated. After the queen change is successful, remove the queen cage and deal with the old queen separately. Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the present invention has the following advantages: The present invention provides an automatic queen replacement device and method for traditionally reared Chinese bees. By adopting the device and method, a queen bee of about one year old can be replaced smoothly, ensuring that the queen bee's egg-laying ability does not decrease and maintaining a good colony strength.

[0008] The device and method of the present invention can effectively avoid the problem of the original queen bee leading the worker bees away from the colony when the queen is replaced, can maintain the colony strength of the original bee colony, and ensure the enthusiasm for collecting.

[0009] The device and method of the present invention ensure the bee colony strength and collection enthusiasm, thereby increasing honey production and improving the economic benefits of beekeepers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic queen-changing device for traditional bee breeding in Example 1; Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of the automatic queen bee separator in Example 1; Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of the queen bee cage in Example 1; Figure 4 This is a physical picture of the Wangtai protector in Example 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present application and are not to be construed as limiting the present application. On the contrary, the embodiments of the present application include all variations, modifications, and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0012] Example 1: Figure 1-3 As shown, this embodiment provides a device for automatically changing queens for traditional breeding of Chinese bees, including a nest box, which is a nest box 1 for traditional breeding of Chinese bees. Existing round barrels, square barrels, lattice barrels, Three Gorges barrels, etc. can be selected. In this embodiment, a round barrel with an inner diameter of 25-35 cm and an inner height of 45-65 cm is selected. A nest door is set on one side of the nest box.

[0013] The automatic queen changing device in this embodiment also includes an automatic queen separator 2 arranged at the hive door and communicated with the hive box, and also includes a queen cage 3 arranged outside the hive box. The automatic queen separator is provided with a queen outlet 21, and the queen cage is provided with a queen entrance 31. The queen outlet and the queen entrance are connected by a hose 4, and the queen bee can enter the queen cage through the hose.

[0014] Among them, the queen bee automatic separator can adopt a plastic part with a grille, including a rectangular frame with a grille, and the rectangular frame is used to cover the hive door, which can also be called a covering frame. The queen bee outlet is provided in the middle of the covering frame, and the queen bee outlet is a circular cylinder extending outward, and the gap of the grille part is smaller than the queen bee's chest height and larger than the worker bee's chest height, so that the worker bees can normally enter and exit from the grille gap for collection activities, while the queen bee can only enter and exit through the queen bee outlet.

[0015] The queen bee cage is a common cage, in this embodiment a plastic cage with a grille. Its appearance can be round, square, or other shapes. The gaps between the grilles of the queen bee cage are smaller than the chest height of both the queen bee and worker bees, preventing both the queen bee from flying out and the worker bees from flying in. A queen bee entrance is provided on one side of the queen bee cage. The entrance is a circular cylinder extending outward. A hose is connected between the queen bee outlet of the automatic queen bee separator and the queen bee entrance of the queen bee cage. The hose has a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the circular cylinders of the queen bee outlet and entrance. The hose can be directly fitted over the cylinder and secured with tape.

[0016] Furthermore, a queen bee check valve 32 is installed at the queen entrance of the queen bee cage. This check valve prevents the queen bee from returning to the hive through the hose after entering the queen bee cage. The check valve consists of two spring plates positioned opposite each other and extending obliquely toward the inside of the queen bee cage, forming a triangular entrance. This allows the queen bee to push the check valve open and enter the queen bee cage after exiting the hive. However, the check valve cannot be pushed open from inside the hive.

[0017] The queen bee cage can be directly placed on the upper part or one side of the hive, or hung on the side wall of the cylindrical hive by a hook. In addition, the queen bee cage is covered with a light-proof object, and the light-proof object in this embodiment is a light-proof black curtain.

[0018] The traditional Chinese honey bee rearing automatic queen replacement device of this embodiment, using an automatic queen bee separator, a hose, and a queen cage, can guide the existing queen bee during the queen replacement period into the queen cage, where she is imprisoned and located near the hive. This allows the new queen cell to be placed inside the hive. When the worker bees separate, the existing queen bee leaves the hive with the worker bees. The worker bees can then fly outside the hive via the automatic queen bee separator, while the existing queen can only crawl into the queen cage via the hose and become imprisoned. Since the queen bee is imprisoned near the hive, the worker bees will soon automatically return to the hive. The queen replacement is successful when the new queen emerges and mates.

[0019] Example 2: Figure 4 As shown, the present invention also provides a method for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding using the device in Example 1, comprising the following steps: Step 1. Select a traditionally reared Chinese honeybee colony in a barrel-shaped nest box (inner diameter * inner height 30 * 50 cm) for queen replacement, place a mature queen cell that has emerged from the hive 1-2 days later into a queen cell protector, then install the queen cell in the queen cell protector, and hang the queen cell protector on the honeycomb at the bottom of the nest box in its natural state. The gap in the queen cell protector should be smaller than the chest height of the worker bees to prevent the worker bees from gnawing on the queen cells. The king platform protector is an existing technology and can be purchased directly on the market. The king platform protector purchased in this embodiment is a cylindrical warehouse body with a metal wire wrapped around it, which is formed by a spring. One side of the cylindrical warehouse body is the end of the metal wire and has a hook, and the other side is open. After the king platform is placed in the warehouse body, a sealing plate is used to seal the other side of the cylindrical warehouse body. For details, please refer to Figure 4 .

[0020] Step 2: Install the automatic queen bee separator at the hive door of the hive box, hang the queen bee cage on the side wall of the hive box (or directly place the queen bee cage on the top or side of the hive box), connect the queen bee outlet of the automatic queen bee separator and the queen bee inlet of the queen bee cage with a hose, wrap the interface with tape, and cover the outside of the queen bee cage with black cloth; Step 3. Since new queen cells appear in the Chinese honey bee colony, and the worker bees cannot gnaw on the queen cells, the bee colony in the hive box will naturally swarm. When the worker bees are ready to swarm and rush out, observe the queen bee automatic separator. If the original queen bee in the bee colony has entered the queen bee cage through the queen bee automatic separator and the hose, then since the original queen bee did not follow the swarming worker bees to fly out of the bee colony, the worker bees will automatically return to the hive soon. However, since the original queen bee has been imprisoned in the queen bee cage, she cannot return to the original colony. In this way, the original queen bee is imprisoned outside the hive and near the hive, and the worker bees cannot be swarmed with the original queen bee, thus preventing the bee colony from weakening.

[0021] Step 4. After step 2, open the queen cell protector and wait for the new queen to leave the cell. If the new queen has already left the cell, open the queen cell protector to release the new queen. After the new queen leaves the cell, she will mate and the queen change is successful. After the new queen leaves the cell or before she recognizes the nest at the latest, remove the queen bee automatic separator, otherwise it will affect the mating of the new queen. It is best to remove it after the original queen is successfully separated.

[0022] Because the existing queen remains imprisoned near the hive before the queen replacement is successful, the worker bees will not leave the colony with her and will continue to collect honey normally. Once the new queen emerges from the hive and successfully mates, the worker bees have accepted the new queen, indicating a successful queen replacement. At this point, the queen cage can be removed and the existing queen taken away for separate disposal. Specifically, there are two ways to dispose of the existing queen: either introducing her to another colony or killing her.

[0023] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not limiting. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that various changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the scope defined by the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A device for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding, comprising a nest box having a nest door, characterized in that: A queen bee cage is arranged on the top / side wall outside the hive box, and an automatic queen bee separator communicated with the hive door is arranged at the hive door. The automatic queen bee separator is connected to the queen bee cage by a hose through which worker bees, drones and queen bees can pass.

2. The device for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: A queen bee non-return baffle is provided at the entrance of the queen bee cage.

3. The device for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The non-return baffles are two non-return spring plates arranged at the queen bee entrance of the queen bee cage. The two non-return spring plates are arranged opposite to each other and extend obliquely toward the inside of the queen bee cage to form an entrance triangle.

4. The device for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that: The automatic queen bee separator includes a covering frame for covering the nest door, a queen bee outlet is provided in the middle of the covering frame, the queen bee outlet is connected to the hose, and a grille is provided on the covering frame, the gap width of the grille is larger than the chest height of the worker bee and smaller than the chest height of the queen bee.

5. The device for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The outside of the queen bee cage is covered with a light-proof member.

6. The device for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding as claimed in claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that: The nest box is a barrel-shaped vertical beehive with an inner diameter of 25-35 cm and an inner height of 45-65 cm.

7. A method for automatically changing queens in traditional Chinese bee breeding using the device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: Step 1: Select a traditionally reared Chinese honey bee colony that is ready for queen replacement, place a mature queen cell that has emerged from the hive 1-2 days later into a queen cell protector, and then hang the queen cell protector on the bottom honeycomb in the hive box, ensuring that the queen cells in the queen cell protector are in a natural state, and the gap in the queen cell protector is smaller than the volume of the worker bees; Step 2: Install the queen bee automatic separator at the hive door of the hive, fix / install the queen bee cage on the top of the hive, connect the queen bee outlet of the queen bee automatic separator and the queen bee inlet of the queen bee cage with a hose, and cover the outside of the queen bee cage with black cloth; Step 3: As new queen cells appear in the bee colony, the worker bees cannot gnaw on the queen cells, and the bee colony in the hive box will naturally swarm. When the worker bees are ready to swarm and rush out, observe the queen bee automatic separator. If the original queen bee in the bee colony has entered the queen bee cage through the queen bee automatic separator and the hose, then the queen bee did not follow the swarming worker bees out of the bee colony, and the worker bees will automatically return to the hive soon. However, since the queen bee has been imprisoned in the queen bee cage, she cannot return to the original colony. Step 4. Open the queen cell protector and wait for the new queen to leave the hive. If the new queen has already left the hive, open the queen cell protector to release the new queen. After the new queen leaves the hive, remove the queen bee automatic separator at the hive entrance. After the new queen leaves the hive, mate and the queen change is successful. After the queen change is successful, remove the queen bee cage and dispose of the original queen separately.

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