Effect of season and behavioral activity on the hypopharyngeal glands of three honey bee Apis mellifera L. races under stressful climatic conditions of central Saudi Arabia

Honey production gains are needed to deal with high demand in Saudi Arabia. The honey bee races are facing stressful hot-arid weather conditions that can affect different aspects of physiology and behavior. The hypopharyngeal glands (HPGs) of honey bees have prominent roles in various social behaviors through their secretions. The measurement of acini size and lipofuscin accumulation indicates the changes in HPGs in response to different factors...