1. Kin recognition of worker brood by worker honey bees,Apis mellifera L
- Author
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Katherine C. Noonan and Steven A. Kolmes
- Subjects
Apidae ,biology ,Kin recognition ,Ecology ,Zoology ,biology.organism_classification ,Brood ,Apoidea ,Worker bee ,Aculeata ,Pollinator ,Animal ecology ,Insect Science ,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics - Abstract
Experimental colonies of honey bees consisting of two patrilines were observed as they reared worker brood. Seven behavior patterns that relate to brood care were recorded. Worker bees biased the care they provided to eggs and larvae destined to become workers on the basis of brood patrilines. Both patrilineal and antipatrilineal preferences in various behavioral patterns were observed. There was variation among colonies that may have been the result of the frequencies of brood of each patriline and the total amount of brood available to be reared. In addition, there were some differences between workers of the two patrilines in the way that they cared for the two patrilines of brood.
- Published
- 1989
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