>My interest is in figuring out how the diutinus state (long-lived) is triggered. One thing that seems significant is the cessation of pollen into the hives. This >may shift the bees into a state of dietary restriction.

Me too, and I found this paper helpful with understanding how vitellogenin plays a role in the onset of senescence. 

>Vitellogenin appears to be the major zinc-carrier of honey bee
hemolymph, where lack of zinc triggers hemocyte pycnosis and reduced
immunity. Reduced vitellogenin levels, thereby, may cause
immune senescence in foragers.

>Retention of vitellogenin has a positive influence on worker survival
by inhibiting the behavioral transition to the life-shortening
foraging stage, as well as by promoting immunity and stress resilience

The curious case of aging plasticity in honey bees
Daniel Münch a,*, Gro V. Amdam a,b

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014579310002760

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