Effect of comb wax age on brood performance or population of honey bee, Apis melifera

Using long lasting combs have deleterious effects on honey bee larval development due to pathogenic contamination and toxins. In this research, old combs with unknown age and dark colour and new maked ones were obtained and bee reproduction and population were compared in old and new bee waxes. Old combs were placed in strong bee colonies to clean them of debris. Brood performance and population of honey bee were then measured for each colony on days and at reproduction season. Results revealed that queen reproduction and body weight of young adults were significantly higher in new combs (p<%). Accumulated debris and numerous contaminants caused smaller mean cell diameters in older combs and resulted in decreased weight of young adults. Also, thoset had deleterious effects on bee health. Bees reared in new combs weighted about 8.% more those reared in old ones. Results showed the effectiveness of new combs on brood performance and honey production. Thus, elimination of very old brood combs by bee keepers were recommended.