Why does the egg gradually lie down?
Why does the egg, which is in a “vertical” position on the first day after being laid, gradually move into a “horizontal” position by the third day, shortly before hatching?
Answers:
- Due to gravity, the egg falls to the bottom of the cell.
- A mechanism modifying the egg membrane causes it to adhere differently to the cell wall so that it can feed on royal jelly.
- When worker bees enter the cell for thermoregulation, they push the egg toward the bottom of the cell.
See answer
Correct answer: 3
After being laid, the egg remains immobile until the larva hatches. When worker bees enter deeply into the cell, the egg can be pushed toward the base of the cell (see video). Workers may immerse themselves in cells to “trap” heat or to generate heat throughout the comb. During this process, the worker and its antennae remain immobile. This observation is consistent with previous suggestions that an egg “tilting” is not part of the normal embryonic development process. Consequently, eggs that “tilt” from a position parallel to the axis of the cell to a position perpendicular to the axis of the cell reflect how frequently workers entered the cell for thermoregulation purposes.
To learn more:
► Vom Ei zur Imago
► Kryokonservierung von Drohnensperma