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Entomology Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Genetics

2008

Apis mellifera

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Full-Text Articles in Entomology

Investigation Of Gene And Protein Expression Based On Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Aging, Flight Experience, And Behavior, Azucena A. Benito, G. E. Mancinelli, A. Ammons, Michelle M. Elekonich Aug 2008

Investigation Of Gene And Protein Expression Based On Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Aging, Flight Experience, And Behavior, Azucena A. Benito, G. E. Mancinelli, A. Ammons, Michelle M. Elekonich

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

Honeybees undergo a process of adult behavioral development, spending their first 2-3 weeks working inside the constant environment of the hive. At about 3 weeks of age workers leave the hive as foragers who gather pollen and nectar. Previous research found that bees show an enormous decline in immunity as a result of their transition from regular hive jobs to more difficult foraging activities. Foragers can be forced to go back into hive-tasks, thus becoming “reverted nurses” which may also allow a reversal of immunosenescence. Understanding how this happens could prove to be useful because if there is flexibility in …