Effect of the juvenile hormone on the development of the mandibular gland in workers' pupae of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Brazilian Journal of Biology

H. C. Salles¹  C. Cruz-landim¹ 

[1],UNESP Instituto de Biociências Departamento de BiologiaRio Claro SP ,Brazil

关键词: Apis mellifera;    juvenile hormone;    mandibular gland;    development;    bee;    Apis mellifera;    hormônio juvenil;    glândula mandibular;    desenvolvimento;    abelha;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S1519-69842004000400018

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Insect mandibular glands are exocrine organs that produce chemical substances known as pheromones that play an important role in intra-specific communication of insects. The mandibular glands of Apis mellifera, which are more highly developed in queens than in workers, present caste-specific polymorphism which seems to be regulated by the juvenile hormone (JH). These glands develop at the pupation stage, during which the titer of JH is higher in queens. In spite of this observation, application recounted here of juvenile hormone on 5th-instar workers' larvae of Apis mellifera did not produce a significant effect on the size of the mandibular glands. Therefore, we may conclude that the response of insect organs to the exogenous application of JH varies according to the type of organ, its developmental program, and its developmental stage, as well as to the amount of hormone applied.

【 授权许可】

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