Characterization of preimaginal developmental stages in Africanized honey bee workers (Apis mellifera L)

Abstract

Summary — The stages of preimaginal development of the Africanized worker honey bee (Apis mellifera L) were characterized. Body weight and head diameter were used as characters with which to differentiate among the first 4 instars, and additional traits such as apolysis, defecation and tibiotarsal length of the hind legs were used to characterize the subdivision of the 5th and last instar. Pupal stages were determined on the basis of eye and thorax pigmentation. The duration of each stage was also determined from these characteristics. The post-embryonic development period of Africanized bees is ≈ 24 h shorter than that in Apis mellifera carnica, and 18 and 24 h longer than in African bees.Africanized honeybee / preimaginal development / duration of development / larval instar

Rearing Africanized honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) brood under laboratory conditions

“…Then, the developing time from the time the eggs were laid to the time the adult bees emerge was 20 days, both for those bees developed under the laboratory as for those developed in field conditions (control). These results agree with Garófalo (1977) and Michelette and Soares (1993) who reported similar results when they had observed the development of Africanized bees under natural conditions.…”

A novel Omega-class glutathione S-transferase gene in Apis cerana cerana: molecular characterisation of GSTO2 and its protective effects in oxidative stress

“…cerana cerana worker bees were obtained from the experimental apiary of Technology Park of Shandong Agricultural University. The larvae and pupae were identified according to the criteria of Michelette and Soares (1993). The entire bodies of larvae, pupae and 1-day-old adult workers were collected from the hive.…”

Expression profile of a Laccase2 encoding gene during the metamorphic molt in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera,Apidae)

“…In the fifth larval stage, each brood cell is sealed by a wax operculum produced by worker bees. The larva then stops eating, empties its gut and spins a cocoon, in preparation for the metamorphosis (Michelette & Soares 1993). The metamorphic molt starts with apolysis, proceeds through the pharate period and ends at pupal ecdysis.…”

“…Developing bees were identified as feeding larvae (L5F), spinning larvae (L5S), when they stop feeding in preparation for the metamorphic molt, and pharate pupae (PP). Subphases within L5F, L5S and PP were identified according to criteria established by Michelette & Soares (1993).…”