Genetic variability for temporal polyethism in colonies consisting of similarly-aged worker honey bees

Abstract

Behavioral studies of 2 selected lines of honey bees (Brown and Van Scoy) demonstrate strong genetic determination of individual differences in behavior. Bees of similar age, but of different lines, performed tasks with very different frequencies. Brown workers performed mostly within nest tasks while Van Scoy workers did most of the foraging. It is suggested that the genotypic composition of a colony represents a level of social organization.