Do rebel workers in the honeybee Apis mellifera avoid worker policing?

Abstract

A recent study showed that worker larvae fed in a queenless colony develop into another female polyphenic form-rebel workers. The rebel workers are more queen-like than normal workers because they have higher reproductive potential revealed by more ovarioles in their ovaries. However, it was unclear whether eggs laid by rebel workers avoided worker policing. Worker-laid eggs are normally eaten by other workers in a queenright colony. The aim of this study was to compare the survival of three classes of eggs, namely, those laid by normal workers, rebel workers, and the queen. All eggs were tested in queenright colonies. We expected that rebel workers would avoid policing by laying more queen-like eggs. Contrary to our expectations, eggs laid by rebel workers were eaten by other workers, as were eggs laid by normal workers, and only a few worker-laid eggs (both normal and rebel) survived for more than 3 h. Therefore, in a queenright colony, eggs laid by rebel workers do not avoid policing.

Segmentation of the subcuticular fat body in Apis mellifera females with different reproductive potentials

“…If they are fed royal jelly, royalactin activated p70 S6 kinase increases the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase which is involved in the decreased developmental time, and increases the titer of juvenile hormone, an essential hormone for ovary development 68 . Maintaining the proper relationships between JH, insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) and vitellogenin production in the fat body cells is essential to support egg production 55 , 69 and maybe that is why rebels are able to lay eggs 20 . In addition to being glycolytic fuels, glucose and glycogen, present at high levels in queens (Fig.…”

“…The absence of an active queen and its mandibular pheromones in larval food affects the development of this sub-caste 18 . Compared with normal workers, the rebels have more ovarioles in the ovaries, less developed hypopharyngeal glands producing the larval food, while their mandibular glands, which produce queen mandibular pheromones in queens, are larger 19 , 20 .…”

Classifying the Biological Status of Honeybee Workers Using Gas Sensors

“…This abnormal condition is characterized by the increased amount of drone brood present in the honeycomb cells. However, until the 10th day after laying the egg, before the brood comb cell is sealed, it is difficult to distinguish such brood from normal bee brood [ 5 ].…”

“…Classes 1,5,6, and 7 vs. all-true positive rate; best classifiers, 5xMCCV5-average classification results from 25 tests: all classes, M1 and M2 devices, wooden and polystyrene chambers, with and without baseline correction (Options I-VIII). Note: Tpr 1 = true positive rate class 1, Tpr 5 = true positive rate class 5, Tpr 6 = true positive rate class 6, and Tpr 7 = true positive rate class 7.…”

“…Classes 1,5,6, and 7 vs. all-accuracy balanced; best classifiers, 5xMCCV5-average classification results from 25 tests: all classes, M1 and M2 devices, wooden and polystyrene chambers, with and without baseline correction (Options I-VIII).…”