Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Influence of juvenile hormone on gravity orientation in the female honeybee larva (Apis mellifera L.)

  • Published:
Journal of comparative physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The influence of juvenile hormone (JH) on the behaviour of the female honeybee larva (Apis mellifera L.) during ultimate orientation was investigated. The effect of gravity was tested in natural and artificial cells by changing their inclination and by rotation experiments.

In queen larvae ultimate orientation (final orientation at the outset of metamorphosis) is controlled by gravity. They display a positive geotaxis under all experimental conditions tested even in reversed natural cells. However, ultimate orientation of worker larvae in natural cells is not affected by gravity. A positive geotactic preference is shown only in long artificial cells whereas larvae in short cells respond indifferently to gravity. The texture of the cell ending has a directing effect.

The geotactic indifference is replaced by a positive geotaxis in worker larvae treated with JH-I or JH-III during the third day of larval development (Fig. 5). In JH-treated larvae the evaluation of gravity equals that of queen larvae (Fig. 7). A positive geotaxis is evoked even in individuals that develop rather weak adult queenlike characteristics (Table 2). The juvenile hormone titer not only controls the differentiation of morphological and anatomical caste characteristics but also affects the orientation behaviour of the spinning larva.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

JH :

juvenile hormone

QI :

queen index

References

  • Asencot, M., Lensky, Y.: The effect of sugars and juvenile hormone on the differentiation of the female honeybee larvae (Apis mellifera L.) to queens. Life Sci.18, 693–700 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Benz, G.: Reversal of spinning behaviour in last instar larvae ofPieris brassicae treated with JH derivates. Experientia29, 1437–1438 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, K.W.: Biology of eumenine wasps. V. Digital communication in wasps. J. Exp. Zool.134, 469–514 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Copijn, G.M., Beetsma, J., Wirtz, P.: Queen differentiation and mortality after application of different juvenile hormone analogues to worker larvae of the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet.82C, 29–42 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Crozier, W.J., Stier, T.J.B.: Geotropic orientation in arthropods I.Malacosoma larvae. J. Gen. Physiol.11, 803–821 (1928)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dietz, A., Hermann, H.R., Blum, M.S.: The role of exogenous JH-I, JH-III and Anti-JH (Precocene II) on queen induction of 4.5 day old worker honey bee larvae. J. Insect Physiol.25, 503–512 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ebert, R.: Juvenilhormon-Applikationen bei der weiblichen Honigbienenlarve (Apis mellifera carnica Pollm.) und deren Auswirkungen auf die Entwicklung zur Imago. Dimplomarbeit, Fachbereich Biologie der J.-W.-Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fyg, W.: Beitrag zur Kenntnis der larvalen Hautsinnesorgane der Honigbiene (Apis mellifera L.). Mitt. Schweiz. Entomol. Ges.38, 184–192 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Goewie, E.A., Beetsma, J.: Induction of caste differentiation in the Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) after topical application of JH-III. Proc. K. Ned. Akad. Wet.79C, 466–469 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gontarski, H.: Die Orientierung der Larve vonApis mellifica in der geschlossenen Zelle. I. Dorsoventrale Orientierung. Z. Bienenforsch.3, 216–220 (1957)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gross, F.: Zur Bedeutung des Oberschlundganglions beim Spinnverhalten von Raupen. Zool. Jahrb. Physiol.68, 535–538 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirashima, Y.: Comparative studies on the cocoon spinning habits ofOsmia excavata Alfken andOsmia pedicornis Cockerell (Hymenoptera Megachilidae). Sci. Bull. Fac. Agric. Kyushu16, 481–497 (1958)

    Google Scholar 

  • Horn, E.: The contribution of different receptors to gravity orientation in insects. Fortschr. Zool.23, 1–20 (1975a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Horn, E.: Mechanisms of gravity processing by leg and abdominal gravity receptors in bees. J. Insect Physiol.21, 673–679 (1975b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huber, F.: Neue Beobachtungen an den Bienen. Nach der zweiten Ausgabe. Deutsch mit Anmerkungen von Georg Kleine. 2. Heft: Bienenleben und Bienenzucht, pp. 166–170. Einbeck: Ehlers 1856

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishay, J.: Orientation by pupating larvae ofVespa orientalis. Insectes Soc.22, 67–74 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jander, R.: Grundleistungen der Lichtund Schwereorientierung von Insekten. Z. Vergl. Physiol.47, 381–430 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S.C.: The longitudinal orientation of larval honey bees in their cells. Can J. Zool.41, 717–723 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jay, S.C.: Starvation studies of larval honey bees. Can. J. Zool.42, 455–462 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloot, W.G van der, Williams, C.M.: Cocoon construction by theCecropia silkworm. I. The role of the external environment. Behaviour5, 141–156 (1953a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloot, W.G. van der, Williams, C.M.: Cocoon construction by theCecropia silkworm. II. The role of the internal environment. Behaviour5, 157–174 (1953b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kloot, W.G. van der, Williams, C.M.: Cocoon construction by theCecropia silkworm. III. The alteration of the spinning behaviour by chemical and surgical techniques. Behaviour5, 235–255 (153c)

  • Lawrence, P.A.: The hormonal control of the development of hairs and bristles in the milkweed bug.Oncopeltus fasciatus. Dev. Biol.19, 12–40 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lensky, Y., Baehr, J.-C., Porcheron, P.: Dosages radio-immunologiques des ecdysones et des hormones juvéniles au cours du développement post-embryonnaire chez les ouvrières et les reines d'Abeille (Apis mellifica L. var. ligustica). C.R. Acad. Sci. [D] (Paris)287, 821–824 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindauer, M., Nedel, J.O.: Ein Schweresinnesorgan der Honigbiene. Z. Vergl. Physiol.42, 334–364 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukoschus, F.: Über Hautsinnesorgane der Bienenlarve (Apis mellifica). Z. Bienenforsch.3, 85–87 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukoschus, F.: Zur Kastendetermination bei der Honigbiene. Z. Bienenforsch.3, 190–199 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Markl, H.: Borstenfelder an den Gelenken als Schweresinnesorgane bei Ameisen und anderen Hymenopteren. Z. Vergl. Physiol.45, 475–569 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Martin, H., Lindauer, M.: Sinnesphysiologische Leistungen beim Wabenbau der Honigbiene. Z. Vergl. Physiol.53, 372–404 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Matthews, R.W., Kislow, C.J.: Cocoon orientation in a megachilid bee: larval response to pollen placement. Environ. Res.2, 157–158 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Michener, C.D.: Biologies of African allodopine bees (Hymenoptera, Xylocopinae). Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist.145, 219–301 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Piepho, H.: Hormonale Grundlagen der Spinntätigkeit bei Schmetterlingsraupen. Z. Tierpsychol.7, 424–434 (1950)

    Google Scholar 

  • Piepho, H.: Juvenilhormon und Verhalten bei der Wachsmotte. Naturwissenschaften54, 50 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Piepho, H., Böden, E., Holz, I.: Über die hormonale Abhängigkeit des Verhaltens von Schwärmerraupen vor den Häutungen. Z. Tierpsychol.17, 261–269 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sachs, L.: Angewandte Statistik, Planung und Auswertung — Methoden und Modelle. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Schafer, R., Sanchez, T.: The nature and development of sex attractant specificity in cockroaches of the genusPeriplaneta II. Juvenile hormone regulates sexual dimorphism in the distribution of antennal olfactory receptors. J. Exp. Zool.198, 323–336 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sehnal, F.: Einfluß des Juvenilhormons auf die Metamorphose des Oberschlundganglions beiGalleria mellonella. Zool. Jahrb.71, 659–664 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shuel, R.W., Dixon, S.E., Kinoshita, G.B.: Growth and development of honeybees in the laboratory on altered queen and worker diets. J. Apic. Res.17, 57–68 (1978)

    Google Scholar 

  • Truman, J.W., Riddiford, L.M.: Hormonal mechanisms underlying insect behaviour. Treherne, J.E., Berridge, M.J., Wigglesworth, V.B. (eds.), pp. 297–352. London, New York: Academic Press 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Velich, A.V.: Entwicklungsmechanische Studien an Bienenlarven. Z. Wiss. Zool.136, 210–222 (1930)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiedbrauck, J.: Vom Spinnen bei Schmetterlingsraupen und seiner Abhängigkeit von Metamorphosehormonen. Z. Tierpsychol.12, 176–202 (1955)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilde, J. de, Boer, J.A. de: Humoral and nervous pathways in photoperiodic induction of diapause inLeptinotarsa decemlineata. J. Insect Physiol.15, 661–675 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wirtz, P.: Differentiation in the honey bee larva. Meded. Landbouwhogeschool Wageningen73–5 (1973)

  • Wirtz, P., Beetsma, J.: Induction of caste differentiation in the honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) by juvenile hormone. Ent. Exp. Appl.15, 517–520 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zander, E., Becker, F.: Die Ausbildung des Geschlechtes bei der Honigbiene. II. Erlanger Jahrb. Bienenkunde3, 161–246 (1925)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoologisches Institut II der Universität Würzburg, Röntgenring 10, D-8700, Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany

    Renate Ebert

Authors
  1. Renate Ebert
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

My special thanks are due to Prof. Dr. M. Lindauer (Würzburg) for providing all facilities in the performance of this study. I am grateful to him and Dr. E. Horn (Karlsruhe) for fruitful discussions and to Drs. J. Beetsma and M. Brouwers (Wageningen) for critically reading the manuscript. The JH-I was a gift from Prof. Hainaut, Roussel-Uclaf (Romainville/France). The study was supported by a fellowship of the ‘Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes’.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ebert, R. Influence of juvenile hormone on gravity orientation in the female honeybee larva (Apis mellifera L.). J. Comp. Physiol. 137, 7–16 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656912

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00656912

Keywords

Search

Navigation