Abstract
Different queen pheromones attract colonial workers who respond by
forming a surrounding group around the stationary queen. This specific behaviour is
considered retinue behaviour. Workers lick, groom, and antennate the queen to get
pheromones which influence workers' behaviour, physiology, development, hormones,
reproduction, etc. Various pheromonal glands like the Mandibular gland components,
the Tergal gland, Dufour's gland, etc., influence the retinue. Primary pheromones
which influence the retinue process include (E)-9-oxo-2-decanoic acid(9-ODA), methyl
4-hydroxybenzoate(HOB), (R)-and (S)-(E)-9-hydroxy-2-decanoic acid(9-HDA), 4-
hydroxy3-methoxyphenylethanol (HVA), 10-hydroxy-decanoic acid (10-HDAA)
and10-hydroxy-2 (E)-decanoic acid (10-HDA), methyl oleate, coniferyl alcohol,
palmityl alcohol, and linolenic acid. Furthermore, queen ester includes palmitates,
oleates, ethyl stearate, ethyl, and methyl palmitoleate. Additionally, specific volatiles
influence swarming, drone attraction, and general organization of the colony. This
chapter comprehensively describes the retinue behaviour of workers, responsible
elements, and the significance of retinue.
Keywords: Division of Labour, Pheromonal secretion, Reproduction, Queen Honey Bee