Queen rearing: bees preferentially choose which larvae to raise as queens, but not based on kinship



The data presented in this study did not

show that relatedness is important for the selection of larvae for queen rearing.



However, different maternal investments into the egg can significantly affect the

chance of the resulting larvae to receive royal treatment or not. Egg weight,

measured as a criterion for maternal investment differed greatly even within clutches

laid simultaneously. Worker bees recruit for specific larvae by a specific behaviour,

the exposure of the Nasonov gland. However, this behaviour is not guided by

relatedness, but in addition to egg size by genetic differences within a colony

assumed to be linked with differences in larvae attractiveness. 



Consequently, genetically or environmentally-driven attractiveness – but not

relatedness – represent the key criteria for selecting larvae for gyne production.



Selection of Larvae for Queen Rearing by Workers in the Honey Bee

(Apis mellifera L.) − Nepotism or Different Maternal Supply?

AL-Kahtani, Saad Naser Saad



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