COLLECTION
Collection procedure for honeybees:
- Separately collect 12-100 worker bees from 4 colonies. Bees should be collected from one of the outer frames from inside the hive. Bees collected from each colony must be kept separate from the workers from other colonies.
- Place bees at 4C (refrigerator temperature) approximately 30 minutes to immobilize them. This will make the bees easier to count. More time may be required depending on the number of individuals collected. (Do not freeze as this will kill the bees leading to deterioration of the DNA in their guts).
- Once bees are immobile, place 10-20 from each colony into small plastic leak-proof containers (50ml conical tubes are ideal). Cover the bees with 95% ethanol. The level of the bees should be under 1/3 of the level of the ethanol. Ensure that the caps of each container are tightened snugly.
- For each container/tube, fill out collection data on a “Bee Data Worksheet.” Please, clearly identify which sheet belongs to each container of bees.
- Place containers of bees and ethanol in a resealable plastic bag with absorbent material (cotton, tissues, paper towels) and ensure that bag is sealed.
- Place sealed bag and containers back into a shipping box with completed “Bee Data Worksheet” and packing materials
- Seal shipping box with tape and mail to the address provided at the top of the Bee Data Worksheet.
DownloadsWant us to mail you a collection kit?Email Eli Powell for a bee collection kit. |
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