[Female-specific hemolymph proteins in gynandromorphs ofApis mellifica]

In the honey bee vitellogenin is present not only in the hemolymph of fertile queens, but also of infertile nurse workers in colonies. Drones lack this female-specific protein.Vitellogenin was also found in gynandromorphs, especially in those with an anteriorposterior distribution of the male/female mosaics. The occurrence of vitellogenin in gynandromorphs is age-dependent and socially conditioned as in worker bees. The female-specific regulation of vitellogenin synthesis is probably based on sex-specific properties of the differentiated fat body.