IN-VITRO BIOSYNTHESIS OF JUVENILE-HORMONE IN LARVAL HONEY-BEES - COMPARISON OF 6 MEDIA

We have formulated a tissue culture medium based on the components of larval honey bee hemolymph. Using an in vitro radiochemical assay to m easure juvenile hormone biosynthesis, we compared our larval-based med ium to four commercially available media (Grace's, Medium-199; Shields and Sang M3, and Minimum Essential Medium), and a medium based on adu lt honey bee hemolymph. All media were formulated without methionine. There was no significant difference in the amounts of juvenile hormone produced by the larval medium and Grace's; both of these media, howev er, were more suitable than the remaining four. Our larval-based tissu e culture medium should prove useful in studies aimed at elucidating t he underlying hormonal mechanism(s) of caste development in honey bees .