The significance of Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae) gnawing off the old brood cells

Abstract Apis cerana cerana has the biological characteristic of gnawing off the old brood cells which reared multiple generations of workers. This study investigated the internal structure of newly built, old, and semi-rebuilt brood cells and their effects on the morphological development of workers to understand the significance of Apis cerana cerana gnawing off the old brood cells. The results showed that there was no significant difference among the three diameters (at the top, middle, and bottom positions) of newly built or semi-rebuilt brood cells (P > 0.05), but these changed within the old brood cells (P < 0.05). The top, middle, or bottom diameters of the newly built and semi-rebuilt brood cells were significantly larger than those of the old brood cells (P < 0.05), but were almost the same between the newly built and the semi-rebuilt brood cells (P > 0.05). The weight and base thickness of the cocoon were significantly greater in the old brood cells than those in the semi-rebuilt brood cells (P < 0.05). Importantly, the birth weight, body length, and the tested six external morphological indices did not show a significant difference between the newly built and semi-rebuilt brood cells (P > 0.05) but were significantly larger than those of old brood cells (P < 0.05). The size of the brood cell and the external morphology of the workers showed a positive correlation. This study highlights the significance of Apis cerana cerana gnawing off the old brood cells providing a reference for its scientific rearing.