What defines sperm success? The influence of sperm on storage and paternity success in the honeybee Apis mellifera

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The honeybee is a species of economic interest and becomes increasingly important for crop pollination, especially in areas where naturally occurring pollinating insects are declining. However, the bee industry struggles to breed sufficient numbers of bees, as climatic changes, parasites and pesticides can kill large numbers of bee hives. Breeding success in honeybees crucially depends on queens receiving sufficient numbers of viable sperm. The study of honeybee sperm and its possible interactions with the queen can therefore optimize breeding regimes for example by providing ways to estimate male or sperm quality.