In 2021 mating nuclei have been placed on Neeltje Jans during two periods. During these periods 5 drone-producing colonies with unrelated queens were present at Neeltje Jans.
The customary first period was cancelled due to cold weather, but during the second and third period conditions were favourable for mating of the young queens.
Colonies used for grafting are originating from Texel. Aim is to increase the population of dark bees from Texel on the mainland.
Thirteen beekeepers have placed a total of 117 mating nuclei on Neeltje Jans. Out of these, 80 queens were fertilised, a mating percentage of some 68%.
In addition, the DDB has grafted directly on Texel from two colonies, on the one hand on behalf of Texel beekeepers and also to broaden the biological basis of the DDB colonies.
30 larvae have been transported to Veenendaal, 20 of which have mated on Neeltje Jans. In the end, 8 of these are now overwintering.
During grafting on Texel, 2 beekeepers have introduced quality larvae into queenless colonies. During a second visit by the DDB they have constituted mating nuclei which were mated on Texel. Also, Henk Kok has made 8 mating nuclei with these Texel queens on behalf of the DDB. During a third visit 6 fertilised Texel queens were collected and transported to the mainland. Out of these, 7 queens died because of robbery of the young colonies. Only 1 queen is now overwintering.
.In the spring of 2022 wings of workers of all young colonies will be measured in order to establish whether progress has been made in the purification of the Texel black bee.