Royal Jelly as Larval Food for Honey Bees

Abstract

Larval feeds for different castes of honey bees include exclusively royal jelly from 4–9 days of development for the queen, and for worker larvae, royal jelly and worker jelly for 4-6 and 6–9 days respectively, whereas for drone larvae, royal jelly and a blended composite mixture of honey and pollen grain for 4-6 and 6–9 days respectively. For the queen, worker, and drone larvae, larval feeds include royal jelly and worker jelly for 4-6 and 6–9 days respectively. Royal jelly is a thick, creamy substance that is produced by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands of worker honey bees. Its primary components include water, hydrocarbons, proteins, lipids, minerals, vitamins, and a small amount of various types of polyphenols. Because the queen eats different larvae than the worker bees, this triggers a chain reaction of biochemical reactions, which ultimately leads to a high concentration of juvenile and ecdysone hormones being released. These hormones, in turn, regulate the expression of different genes in a sequential manner. Queen larvae have a variant proteomic that promotes the healthy development of the female reproductive system, which in turn leads to profound fertility and immune protection, as well as a longer life span for the queen.<br>