Glycogen in honeybee queens, workers and drones ( Apis mellifera carnica Pollm.)

Abstract

Honey bees ( Apis mellifera carnica Pollm.) have low glycogen reserves in summer. Upon emergence drones have significantly larger amounts per unit weight when emerging, than workers; perhaps as adaption to the risk of not being fed as intensely as young workers. Maximum content was 0.23 mg for workers (28 d), and 0.59 mg for drones (after emergence). Workers have relatively constant glycogen contents during their life, and very young drones have more glycogen than older ones. Young queens are similar to workers. In workers and queens in summer the greatest amounts of glycogen are found in the thorax. When the bees start flying (6th–8th day of life), drones have the highest amounts in the head (probably to supply their eyes), and upon maturity, drones have the least glycogen in the abdomen. Workers in winter show different glycogen values depending on whether they are active bees from the core area (0.23 mg) or inactive ones from the outer surface of the winter cluster (0.37 mg). They use glycogen from the thorax and the abdomen for their ongoing energy need.