Grafting Tool (Chinese)

The Chinese style queen grafting tools are designed for the specific task of transferring bee larvae and royal jelly from a cell within a hive to a queen cell cup for queen rearing. The features and uses of these tools, as described in the provided search results, include:

Size and Design

• A convenient size for handling and maneuverability within the hive.
• The tool is designed with a plastic, non-slip middle section and a spring-loaded plastic push button at the top for ease of use.
• The "tongue" of the tool, which is the part that scoops up the larvae and royal jelly, is made from a small, very thin, and flexible piece of plastic, allowing for a gentle touch.
• Some grafting tools are made with fine bamboo as the base, which is lightweight and offers a natural feel.

Technique and Usage

• The Chinese grafting tool operates similarly to a retractable ballpoint pen, where the larvae can be scooped without the need to see it until it is brought out of the cell.
• The tool allows for a scoop-and-transfer motion that mimics the natural shape of a bee larva, which is crucial for not damaging the larvae during transfer.
• The flexible tip is designed to slide under the larva gently, allowing for a careful scoop from its original cell and a delicate rolling motion to release it into the queen cell cup.
• The tool is particularly useful for grafting tiny larvae that are a few hours old and almost invisible due to their size and translucency.

Practical Applications

• The Chinese grafting tool is preferred by commercial queen breeders for its ease of use and efficiency compared to metal hook-type tools.
• It is used to introduce new, healthy queens into the colony, which can help manage swarming behavior, improve honey production, and encourage desirable traits in the hives.
• The tool is also an educational resource for beekeepers to learn and understand the intricacies of queen rearing.

Additional Features

• The tool is often colored red to ensure it is easily visible if dropped or misplaced in the bee yard.
• It comes with a cap to cover the tongue end when not in use, which helps maintain the tool's cleanliness and integrity