I'm pretty sure this was already done by Shimanuki's group at the
Beltsville lab many years ago.  They could induce queen traits by feeding
some very basic lab nutrition with bulk, like sawdust or something.  More
research showed that it's the sugar (OMG that evil stuff) in RJ that acts
as phagostimulant.  The queen eats a ton, which stimulates stretch
receptors in her gut, which send a message to her breain, which causes a
release of JH, which turns the right genes on and off.  The rest of
whatever's in RJ no doubt helps.  No pixie dust needed.  An elegant, but
not very sexy result.
Cheers,
Kristina Williams
Longmont, CO

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