Effect of delayed mating on spermathecal activation in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides (Hymenoptera, Apidae) queens

In this work, we examined the effect of delayed mating on spermathecal development in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides queens. The histology and histochemistry of the spermatheca of virgin queens zero, 15, 20, and 30 days old and physogastric queens were compared. There were no significant differences in the thickness of the epithelium and the volume of the spermathecal reservoir among virgin queens of different ages. However, physogastric queens had more voluminous spermathecae and thinner epithelia than virgin queens. The structure of the spermathecal glands was also influenced by mating. These findings suggest that mating leads to activation of the spermatheca and its glands.