Studies in the mode of action of royal jelly in honeybee development. IX. The carbohydrates and lipids in the haemolymph and the fat body of developing larvae
No qualitative difference between honeybee queens and workers was found in the haemolymph sugars during their postembryonic development. Trehalose was the chief sugar and accounted for 95% of the total carbohydrates in both castes; glucose was the only other significant sugar. Sugar concentrations varied widely both with stage of development and caste. Different caste patterns of variation in fat body glycogen, trehalose, and glucose were observed. Glycogen concentration increased in queen larvae after they were sealed in their cells. Tissue lipid concentrations were higher in queens than in workers and increased in queens after larvae were sealed in their cells. The rapid reproductive development in queens during the short pupal period may be related to their ability of accumulating large food reserves.