WASP BIOLOGY

Caste in Bees

In the primitively eusocial bees, caste differences between queens and workers are minimal, and behavioral role in the nest is regulated by size and position in a dominance hieararchy. **details**

**bumblebees**

Among the highly eusocial bees, regulation of caste is best understood in the honey bee. Queens are morphologically distinct from the workers, having smaller eyes, less hairy bodies, no pollen carrying structures on their hind legs, and a sting without barbs. Workers are easily recognized by their larger eyes, pollen baskets, and barbed stings.The hairs on their bodies serve as pollen collecting devices. Drones, or males, are also physically distinctive, but do not work and are not generally considered as being a caste.

pictures of queen, worker and drone honey bees

Female honey bee eggs, when laid, are equipotent, meaning that they could develop into either a queen or a worker. Diet determines the fate of the larva, once it has hatched. Eggs destined to become workers are laid in regular comb and are fed a carbohydrate-rich mixture of nectar and pollen. Queen-destined eggs are laid in special large cells and receive royal jelly, a protein and fat rich glandular product of the worker bees.