Division of labour among worker honey bees homozygous and heterozygous for the mutant allele chartreuse-limão (ch^li)

SUMMARY

The division of labour among worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) homozygous (ch^li/ch^li) and heterozygous (ch^li/+) for the mutant eye colour allele chartreuse-limão (ch^li) was observed daily for five months. Sixteen different activities were studied. The ch^li/+ bees behave normally in the hive, but the abnormal eye pigmentation associated with ch^li affects orientation and flight of ch^li/ch^li bees, thereby reducing lifespan, and preventing normal activity outside the hive.

Keywords:

• Apis mellifera
• worker honey bees
• division of labour
• eye-colour mutant
• chartreuse-limão
• allele
• genetics