Variation in JH synthesis rate in mature honeybees and its possible role in reprogramming of hypopharyngeal gland function

Juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis was higher in followers than in dancers, which suggests that higher JH levels in followers might be an internal motivational stimulus to induce them to leave the hive to search for food. The positive correlation of in vitro JH synthesis rate and a-glucosidase activity in the hypopharyngeal gland suggests that JH is involved in the reprogramming of the hypopharyngeal gland from producing larval food (immature adults) to production of cc-glucosidase in mature adults.