The effect of various combinations of immature queen and worker bees on the ovary development of worker honeybees in colonies with and without queens

Abstract

The ovaries of worker honeybees of known age were examined at intervals after the bees had been introduced to colonies with queens, or without queens. These colonies contained immature queen and worker bees in various combinations.Inhibition of ovary development in the test worker bees appeared to depend on the presence of worker caste larvae or pupae and not on the presence of larval, pupal, or adult queens.