Number of Instars

[MrILoveTheAnts]

How many instars are involved with the larval stage of each caste of Honey Bee?

For those of you who don't know an instar is a stage of larval development. With ants and butterflies you will most likely find select sizes of the larval stages for each species. Between each instar the larva will suddenly molt and grow to it's next size, until it reaches the pupa stage.

[Michael Bush]

We covered that in Marla Spivak's queen rearing class, but I can't seem to find it in my notes.  It's also not readily available in any of my books nor on the web.  Strange.  I suppose it would take a detailed book on bee anatomy and physiology.

[Understudy]

As the larva grows, it passes through five instars or stages, and sheds its skin after each stage except for the last one.

http://www.main.org/cahbs/cycle.htm


I hope that helps

I believe in may different for workers and drones and unmated queens.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Michael Bush]

Thanks.  :)

[Cindi]

How many instars are involved with the larval stage of each caste of Honey Bee?

For those of you who don't know an instar is a stage of larval development. With ants and butterflies you will most likely find select sizes of the larval stages for each species. Between each instar the larva will suddenly molt and grow to it's next size, until it reaches the pupa stage.

In the caste of the worker honeybee in the larval stage there are 4 moults, than a 5th moult as the larva enters the prepupal stage.

I would imagine that all three castes have these same number of moults.  We learned this at the Bee Masters Course.  Hooray!!!  I guess that some information did sink in and was not lost on my pillow on Friday and Saturday night.  Best of day to everyone.  Cindi

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Fantastic, always good to know these little facts. Thank you everyone.