Fluctuations of carbohydrates in haemolymph of honeybee (Apis mellifica) after fasting, feeding and stress.

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 microliter 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.