Abstract
Queenright Apis mellifera capensiscolonies exhibit egg laying by workers in periods of both low and high egg removal. To reproduce workers should lay in times of low egg removal to in- crease survival of their eggs. Were this so, a negative correlation between egg laying and removal would be expected. Egg removal rates for queen (N=240) and worker-laid (N=240) eggs and egg lay- ing by workers were tested in queenright colonies. Worker-laid eggs were removed significantly faster than queen-laid eggs; but significant differences in egg laying by workers occurred among col- onies. Egg laying and removal are positively correlated and co-dependent. Egg removal appears trig- gered by the number of worker-laid eggs. Intercolonial variation for laying worker egg number and egg removal rates may explain the phenotypic variation in worker reproduction in queenright Cape honeybee colonies. Apis mellifera capensis / egg removal / laying workers / worker reproduction / worker policing
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
