The haemolymph of honeybee contains trehalose, a non-reducing disaccharide, glucose
and fructose. The aim of this work was to describe changes of haemolymph sugar induced
by different physiological situations. Gas chromatography for the determination of
carbohydrate concentrations in the haemolymph was introduced. The individual bee was
anesthetized by CO2 and punctured at tergum III in order to gain 1 μl haemolymph using a glass capilette.
The main sugars in the haemolymph were determined as silylated derivatives by gas
chromatography. Bees living under exactly standardized conditions in an artificial
bee-house were observed after feeding and fasting. In addition saccharides were determined
after “run-stress” along different distances.
Honeybee (Apis mellifica) - Haemolymph Carbohydrates - Gas Chromatography of Carbohydrates
