A method of monitoring honeybee queen movement, circadian rhythm and sleep

Abstract

The application relates to the field of insect behavior, and particularly discloses a method for monitoring queen bee movement, diurnal rhythm and sleep of Apis mellifera, which comprises the following steps: S1, preparation; S2, 5mL of 50% sugar water is filled into a rubber head dropper a, the rubber head dropper a is fixed on a worker bee monitoring tube c, then a steel wire mesh b is covered on the non-sugar water end, and finally the aforementioned components are connected and fixed with a queen bee monitoring tube d; S3, the worker bee and the queen bee are put into the queen bee monitoring device, then the queen bee monitoring device is put into an insect behavior monitor LAM25, a computer is connected for monitoring; and S4, data analysis; on the basis of the original insect behavior monitoring system, the research object is specially the Apis mellifera species, and the monitoring device is optimized according to the monitoring data; the queen bee monitoring device solves the problem of excessively low survival rate of the queen bee in the monitoring, the healthy queen bee guarantees the accuracy of the data, and a good behavior basis is provided for queen bee breeding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of insect behavioral science, and in particular to a method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in the Western honeybee. Background Technology

[0002] Using the LAM25 (Locomotor Activity Monitor 25) for insect behavior monitoring is one of the current methods for monitoring larger insects. This device was invented and manufactured by TriKinetics in the United States and has been widely used in insect behavior monitoring.

[0003] Each LAM25 monitor can measure the independent movement of 32 insect samples at a time, with each insect placed individually in its own tube. As the insect moves freely back and forth within the tube, it blocks the infrared beam passing through the center of the tube. This data is automatically recorded by the computer as behavioral parameters of the insect. In a typical experiment, food is placed at the bottom of the tube, followed by a single insect, and then the tube opening is plugged with cotton. The 32 tubes are inserted into the corresponding channels of the monitor for behavioral monitoring. Throughout the experiment, the behavior of all 32 individual insects can be continuously monitored for several days or weeks, with data uploaded to the computer at regular intervals (usually every minute). These detailed records can accurately measure insect activity patterns: the distribution and intensity of movement, sleep, and related circadian rhythm indicators.

[0004] The LAM25 monitor is made of a transparent polycarbonate plastic, allowing light to pass through any point in the tube. It is compact, lightweight, and allows air to circulate within the tube when the behavior monitoring tube is placed inside. Its perforated design accommodates tubes of any length. A visible light sensor that can be switched on / off is installed in the monitor to record the ambient light conditions in real time during behavior monitoring. This light state data, along with corresponding behavioral parameters, is stored, which is very helpful in analyzing insect circadian rhythms and their adaptation to external light stimuli.

[0005] The original, unmodified device has many limitations when applied to insect monitoring, leading to deviations between the monitoring results and the actual insect activity. For example, in a normal colony, the queen bee needs to be fed by worker bees to maintain her vital signs; a solitary queen bee is less likely to survive than when worker bees are present. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a system that includes both queen bees and worker bees, and to monitor only the queen bee. This invention, based on the existing LAM25 insect behavior monitoring system, improves the insect monitoring tube and establishes a method for monitoring the behavior, sleep, and circadian rhythm of Western honeybee queens. This device solves the problem of low queen bee survival rates during monitoring; healthy queen bees ensure data accuracy and provide a sound behavioral basis for queen bee breeding. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a method for monitoring the movement, circadian rhythm, and sleep of Western honeybee queens, thereby solving the problems of high queen mortality rates and the inability to accurately monitor the sleep, movement, and circadian rhythm of Western honeybee queens during monitoring.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A method for monitoring the queen bee's movement, circadian rhythm, and sleep in Western honeybees includes the following specific steps:

[0009] S1: Preparation: Prepare dropper a, 50% sugar water, wire mesh b, worker bee monitoring tube c, queen bee monitoring tube d, and worker bees and queen bees that have been domesticated under the required photoperiod.

[0010] S2: Assemble the monitoring device: Fill 5mL of 50% sugar water into the dropper a and fix it on the worker bee monitoring tube c. Then cover the non-sugar water end with the wire mesh b. Finally, connect and fix the aforementioned components to the queen bee monitoring tube d to form the queen bee monitoring device.

[0011] S3: Behavior monitoring: First, according to the ratio, put the domesticated worker bees and queen bees into the combined queen bee monitoring device. Then, install the queen bee monitoring device into the insect behavior monitor LAM25 and connect it to the computer for monitoring. Monitor sleep and movement in the incubator with light:dark = 12h:12h and monitor rhythm under dark conditions.

[0012] S4: Data Analysis: Obtain information on the queen bee's sleep and activity through software that analyzes sleep and circadian rhythms.

[0013] As a further technical solution of the present invention, in S1, there are two of each of the dropper a, the wire mesh b, and the worker bee monitoring tube c, and one of each of the queen bee monitoring tube d.

[0014] As a further technical solution of the present invention, in S1, the 50% sugar water is a liquid food made of sterilized white sugar and purified water in a 1:1 ratio.

[0015] As a further technical solution of the present invention, in S2, the queen bee monitoring tube d is placed in the middle, and the ends of the two worker bee monitoring tubes c with wire mesh b are respectively connected and fixed to the two ends of the queen bee monitoring tube d to form a queen bee monitoring device.

[0016] As a further technical solution of the present invention, in S1 and S2, the worker bee monitoring tube c is a double-ended perforated acrylic tube, the size of the worker bee monitoring tube c is an inner diameter of 1.8cm and an outer diameter of 2cm, the worker bee movement distance in the worker bee monitoring tube c is 6cm, and the wire mesh b has a hole diameter of 1.6mm×1.6mm.

[0017] As a further technical solution of the present invention, in S1 and S2, the queen bee monitoring tube d adopts an acrylic double-ended tube, and the dimensions of the queen bee monitoring tube d are 2.2cm inner diameter and 2.5cm outer diameter.

[0018] As a further technical solution of the present invention, in S3, the domesticated worker bees are placed in two worker bee monitoring tubes c, and the domesticated queen bee is placed in a queen bee monitoring tube d.

[0019] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: Based on the existing LAM25 insect behavior monitoring, the insect monitoring tube is improved to form a queen bee monitoring device, which improves the survival status of queen bees during monitoring; the queen bee monitoring device solves the problem of low queen bee survival rate during monitoring, and healthy queen bees ensure the accuracy of data, providing a good behavioral basis for queen bee breeding. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 The diagram shows the components required for the queen bee monitoring system, including a dropper with a rubber tip, 50% sugar water, wire mesh, worker bee monitoring tube, queen bee monitoring tube, and the assembled queen bee monitoring device and monitoring process.

[0021] Figure 2 The motion peak diagram obtained after monitoring the behavior of Western honeybee queens using a queen bee monitoring device;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in Western honeybees, as proposed in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0023] To make the technical means, creative features, objectives and effects of this invention easier to understand, the invention will be further described below in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0024] Please see the appendix Figure 3A method for monitoring the queen bee's movement, circadian rhythm, and sleep in Western honeybees includes the following specific steps:

[0025] S1: Preparation: Prepare materials such as a dropper, 50% sugar water, wire mesh, worker bee monitoring tube, queen bee monitoring tube, etc., and prepare worker bees and queen bees that have been domesticated under the required photoperiod.

[0026] S2: Assemble the monitoring device: Fill 5mL of 50% sugar water into the dropper a and fix it on the worker bee monitoring tube c. Then cover the non-sugar water end with the wire mesh b. Finally, connect and fix the aforementioned components to the queen bee monitoring tube d to form the queen bee monitoring device.

[0027] S3: Behavior monitoring: First, according to the ratio, put the domesticated worker bees and queen bees into the combined queen bee monitoring device. Then, install the queen bee monitoring device into the insect behavior monitor LAM25 and connect it to the computer for monitoring. Monitor sleep and movement in the incubator with light:dark = 12h:12h and monitor rhythm under dark conditions.

[0028] S4: Data Analysis: Software that analyzes sleep and circadian rhythms to obtain information such as the queen bee's sleep and activity.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, in S1, there are two of each of the dropper a, wire mesh b, and worker bee monitoring tube c, and one of each of the queen bee monitoring tube d.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, in S1, the 50% sugar water is a liquid food consisting of sterilized white sugar and purified water in a 1:1 ratio.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, in S2, the queen bee monitoring tube d is placed in the middle, and the ends of the two worker bee monitoring tubes c with wire mesh b are respectively connected and fixed to the two ends of the queen bee monitoring tube d to form a queen bee monitoring device.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, in S1 and S2, the worker bee monitoring tube c is a double-ended perforated acrylic tube with an inner diameter of 1.8cm and an outer diameter of 2cm. The worker bee movement distance in the worker bee monitoring tube c is 6cm, and the wire mesh b has a mesh size of 1.6mm × 1.6mm.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, in S1 and S2, the queen bee monitoring tube d is an acrylic double-ended tube with an inner diameter of 2.2 cm and an outer diameter of 2.5 cm.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, in S3, the domesticated worker bees are placed in two worker bee monitoring tubes c, and the domesticated queen bee is placed in a queen bee monitoring tube d.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown: The queen bee monitoring device consists of four parts: a, b, c, and d. The following steps are required when monitoring the target insect:

[0036] Figure 1 (A) is the assembly of four parts: a) a dropper, 50% sugar water, b) wire mesh, c) worker bee monitoring tube, and d) queen bee monitoring tube, to form a queen bee monitoring device;

[0037] Figure 1 (B) To load domesticated worker bees and queen bees into a queen bee monitoring device;

[0038] Figure 1 (C) For monitoring behavior in the required photoperiod incubator;

[0039] Figure 1 (D) is the analysis of the data.

[0040] like Figure 2 As shown: Figure 2 (A) is a statistical chart showing the survival rate of the queen bee when only queen bee monitoring is provided and when queen bee and worker bees are monitored together; Figure 2 (B) is a graph showing the queen bee's movement peaks. These data demonstrate that the system can both significantly improve the queen bee's survival rate and ensure effective monitoring.

[0041] As can be seen from the above description, the embodiments of the present invention achieve the following technical effects: In a normal bee colony, the queen bee needs to be fed by worker bees to maintain her vital signs. A queen bee living alone has a weaker survival ability than when worker bees are present. Therefore, it is necessary to construct a system that includes both queen bees and worker bees during monitoring, and only the queen bee is monitored. The present invention, based on the existing LAM25 insect behavior monitoring, improves the insect monitoring tube to form a queen bee monitoring device, improving the survival status of the queen bee during monitoring. The queen bee monitoring device solves the problem of the low survival rate of queen bees during monitoring; a healthy queen bee ensures the accuracy of the data, providing a good behavioral basis for queen bee breeding.

[0042] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the invention is limited to these examples; within the framework of the invention, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of the different aspects of the invention as described above, which are not provided in detail for the sake of brevity.

[0043] This invention is intended to cover all such substitutions, modifications, and variations that fall within the broad scope of this specification. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this invention should be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in the Western honeybee, characterized in that, The specific steps include the following: S1: Preparation: Prepare dropper a, 50% sugar water, wire mesh b, worker bee monitoring tube c, queen bee monitoring tube d, and worker bees and queen bees that have been domesticated under the required photoperiod. S2: Assemble the monitoring device: Fill 5mL of 50% sugar water into the dropper a and fix it on the worker bee monitoring tube c. Then cover the non-sugar water end with wire mesh b. Finally, connect and fix the worker bee monitoring tube c to the queen bee monitoring tube d to form the queen bee monitoring device. S3: Behavior monitoring: First, according to the ratio, put the domesticated worker bees and queen bees into the combined queen bee monitoring device. Then, install the queen bee monitoring device into the insect behavior monitor LAM25 and connect it to the computer for monitoring. Monitor sleep and movement in the incubator with light:dark = 12h:12h and monitor rhythm under dark conditions. S4: Data Analysis: Obtain information on the queen bee's sleep and activity through software that analyzes sleep and circadian rhythms.

2. The method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in Western honeybee according to claim 1, characterized in that, In S1, there are two of each of the following: the dropper a, the wire mesh b, and the worker bee monitoring tube c; and one of each of the queen bee monitoring tube d.

3. The method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in Western honeybee according to claim 1, characterized in that, In S1, the 50% sugar water is a liquid food made of sterilized white sugar and purified water in a 1:1 ratio.

4. The method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in Western honeybee according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S2, the queen bee monitoring tube d is placed in the middle, and the ends of the two worker bee monitoring tubes c with wire mesh b are respectively connected and fixed to the two ends of the queen bee monitoring tube d to form a queen bee monitoring device.

5. The method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in Western honeybees according to claim 1, characterized in that, In S1 and S2, the worker bee monitoring tube c is a double-ended perforated acrylic tube. The dimensions of the worker bee monitoring tube c are an inner diameter of 1.8cm and an outer diameter of 2cm. The worker bee movement distance in the worker bee monitoring tube c is 6cm. The wire mesh b has a mesh size of 1.6mm × 1.6mm.

6. The method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in Western honeybees according to claim 1, characterized in that, In S1 and S2, the queen bee monitoring tube d is made of acrylic double-ended tube, and the dimensions of the queen bee monitoring tube d are 2.2cm inner diameter and 2.5cm outer diameter.

7. The method for monitoring the movement, diurnal rhythm, and sleep of the queen bee in Western honeybee according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step S3, the domesticated worker bees are placed in two worker bee monitoring tubes c, and the domesticated queen bee is placed in a queen bee monitoring tube d.

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