Classification of Substages in Preimaginal Development of Honey Bee Drones (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

In contrast to the polymorphic female castes of the honeybee (Apis mellifera), in males a monomorphic phenotype exists, the drone. The drones do not participate in the social tasks of the colony. They reach sexual maturity with functional spermatozoa only at an adult age of about 10 days. In order to complete spermatogenesis until this date, an extended period of preimaginal development is required. A subdivision of the larval and pupal instars is presented here, essential for detailed studies on hormonal regulation and depending gene activity. The duration of each step was determined.