Age and task dependent foraging gene expression in the bumblebee bombus terrestris KU Leuven Ghent University
The foraging gene, encoding a cGMP dependant protein kinase, has been found to be involved in age dependant division of labour in social insects. In contrast, task allocation in the bumblebee Bombus terrestris is mainly determined by size. Our results confirm the existence of a foraging homologue and a high conservation amongst insect PKGs. Quantitative real time PCR studies revealed a higher expression in foraging worker bees as compared to ...