The fate of the queen: epigenetics in the hive

Abstract

All bee larvae share the same genetic code; no one knows which will become the queen, workers, or drones. So how does each larva acquire its role in the hive? What determines its destiny? The magic lies in royal jelly, a food that, without altering DNA, can activate or silence specific genes through different mechanisms. This phenomenon is studied by epigenetics, an emerging science that examines how the environment influences gene expression. These mechanisms are responsible for the different types of bees, shaping everything from their development to their longevity.