Egg laying and egg removal by workers are positively correlated in queenright Cape honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera capensis)

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