An essential tool for honey bee research and selection, the technique of Instrumental Insemination is presented, step by step, with specialized beekeeping practices to enhance success. This training guide includes a brief historical overview, guidelines to improve queen performance, the assembly of equipment, care, and preparations of queens and drones. The procedures of semen collection and insemination of queens include troubleshooting to avoid common mistakes. To evaluate success, a dissection of spermathecas is shown. Procedures for the short-term semen storage and the shipping of semen are also presented. For a quick review, topics are organized in chapters, as there are many steps in the process.
00:00 Opening Introduction
02:39 Chapter 1- Historical Overview
10:32 Chapter 2- Instruments and Accessories
15:00 Chapter 3- Preparations of Virgin Queens and Drones
25:22 Chapter 4- Semen Collection
30:03 Chapter 5- Insemination of the Queen
38:53 Chapter 6- Introduction of Queens
41:51 Chapter 7- Checking the Spermatheca
43:19 Chapter 8- Storing and Shipping Semen
46:38 Conclusion and Credits
