Influence of the amount of eggs and larvae in honeybee colonies on temporal division of labour
Author(s)
Mark L. Winston And Linda A. Fergusson
Abstract
The influence of the amount of eggs and larvae (unsealed brood) in honeybee (Apis mellifera) colonies on temporal division of labour was investigated. Within normal ranges of unsealed brood, there were no changes in either foraging age or worker longevity (length of life) between colonies with low, medium and high amounts of eggs and larvae. Previous studies have shown positive correlations between unsealed brood and pollen collection. It is suggested that colonies responded first to changes in the quantity of eggs.
