Physiology of the Honeybee Corpora Allata: I. Studies on Queens, Drones and Workers Kept in Natural Conditions

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A photographic-planimetric method was used to measure the corpora allata in honeybees of known age, including workers carrying out known activities, queens and drones, all reared under natural conditions. In workers the greatest increase in size occurred in the first 4 days; the subsequent decrease led to a minimum at an age of 7 days; the size increased again until 10 days, then remained more or less constant (to 21 days). There was no difference between the development of the corpora allata of fertilized laying queens (ligustica race) 2 weeks old and 1 year old. The coincidence of the minimal size of the corpora allata with the maximal development of the hypopharyngeal glands suggests that the corpora allata may regulate the function of these glands.