Successful production of chimeric honeybee larvae

Abstract

Abstract The honeybee ( Apis mellifera ) is likely to become the major model system for resolving the genetic basis of advanced perceptual and behavioural abilities of highly social insects because of the high level of knowledge regarding its physiology and social behaviour and its ease of handling. Here we report for the first time genetic transformation of honeybees by the production of chimeric larvae obtained by nuclear transplantation, identified by use of a genetic marker. Two chimeras expressed only the genotype of the donor indicating developmental totipotency of nuclei up to the 11th cleavage mitosis. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.