The Role of the Queen in Preventing Oogenesis in Worker Honeybees

Abstract

SUMMARY1. Ovary development in worker honeybees is inhibited by 9-oxodecenoic acid or its vapour.2. A scent from the queen, in addition to her 9-oxodecenoic acid, also inhibits oogenesis in workers, but it is less effective than the acid. The scent and acid do not work together synergically.3. Neither 9-oxodecenoic acid nor queen scent, nor the two together, are as effective in inhibiting oogenesis in workers as access to a live queen. Older, mated queens are more effective than younger, virgin ones.4. Injection of 9-oxodecenoic acid partially inhibits ovary development in workers, but does not inhibit queen rearing by them.The mode of action of this acid is still uncertain.