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

蜜蜂是一种具有经济价值的物种，对作物授粉变得越来越重要，特别是在自然传粉昆虫正在减少的地区。然而，由于气候变化，寄生虫和杀虫剂可以杀死大量的蜂箱，蜜蜂行业难以繁殖足够数量的蜜蜂。蜜蜂的繁育成功关键取决于蜂王能否获得足够数量的可存活精子。因此，对蜜蜂精子及其可能与蜂王的相互作用的研究可以优化繁殖制度，例如通过提供估计雄性或精子质量的方法。

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.