Free Access
Issue
Apidologie
Volume 28, Number 2, 1997
Page(s) 77 - 84
DOI https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:19970204
Apidologie 28 (1997) 77-84
DOI: 10.1051/apido:19970204

Juvenile hormone promotes flight activity in drones (Apis mellifera carnica)

S. de Oliveira Tozetto, A. Rachinsky and W. Engels

Zoologisches Institut, LS Entwicklungsphysiologie, Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany

Abstract - Drones of Apis mellifera carnica received a single topical application of juvenile hormone III (5 or 10 μg in acetone-hexane) a few days after emergence. This led to flight attempts 2- 3 days earlier than in untreated control drones which were kept in the same colony. It is clear that juvenile hormone in drones acts as a flight stimulus, comparable to its function in worker bees where foraging activity depends on high juvenile hormone levels in the hemolymph.


Key words: Apis mellifera carnica / drone flight activity / juvenile hormone / flight stimulus / premature flight attempts