Leonardo, Ana Maria Costa [UNESP]2022-04-282022-04-281985-01-01Journal of Apicultural Research, v. 24, n. 2, p. 76-79, 1985.2078-69130021-8839http://hdl.handle.net/11449/223878About 300 newly-emerged workers were marked and placed in a queenless nucleus containing 3000–5000 bees. Samples of 3 marked bees were taken at approximately 5-day intervals over a period of 43 days, and their ovaries and mandibular glands examined. Development of the ovaries was detectable from the fifth day of life, and the mandibular gland cells exhibited a greater and more prolonged increase in size than those of workers from a queenright colony. The phase of greatest gland development, between 10 and 25 days of age, coincided with that of greatest ovarian development. © 1985 International Bee Research Association.76-79engArtigo10.1080/00218839.1985.111006522-s2.0-0008975279