EN
The studies were performed in 1987—1991 in 30 colonies of bees with augustowska, carnica and caucasica queens. Half of the colonies were treated against Varroa invasion. Apart a life span of queens, course of Nosema apis and Varroa invasion wintering and hive humidity were established. In treated colonies a mild intensity of N. apis and V. jacobsoni invasion were found. Extensiveness of N. apis invasion ranged from 8.3 to 55.0% and V. jacobsoni from 0.6 to 6.3%. In untreated colonies it increased mainly in the case of V. jacobsoni infestation (63—71.4%). Colonies died at the 3rd year of invasion. Life span of augustowska queen in treated colonies was 458 days in control (untreated) 376 days, in carnica queens 618 and 513 days and in caucasica 769 and 523 days, respectively. The mean life span of queens in treated colonies was 645 days and in untreated colonies was 451 it was shortened by 191 days. Caucasica queens characterize the longest and augustowska queens the shortest life span both in treated and untreated colonies. Varroa disease shortened the queens life span by 25.1—32.0% (mean 29.6).