Role of External Factors in Embryogenesis of Apis mellifera

The embryonic development of honey bees has been studied for more than 150 years (Bütschli, 1870) and a lot of data on the embryogenesis of Apis mellifera L . has been accumulated. However, bees are rarely used as a research objects in modern insect embryology. In addition to the importance of bees as pollinators and producers of biologically active substances, the participation of social behavior in controlling the course of individual development of this group of Hymenoptera is of great interest. This review provides information about external factors (biotic and abiotic) that affect the embryogenesis of A. mellifera , including those related to social behavior.