Studies on the Body Constituent in the Four Kinds of Bees

Abstract

Changes in the chemical constituents in four kinds of bees were examined in the three stages of larva, pupa, and imago. Protein content in larva stage of Vespa lewisi was the highest compared to other three species. Many soluble protein bands in the stage of pupa were separated by disc electrophoresis. In imago stage, new protein bands which were not observed at larva and pupa stages appeared. Nonprotein-nitrogen content in V.lewisi and V.xanthoptera increased markedly at imago stage but there was no change in other two bees. Larva and pupa of four kinds of bees contained glutamic acid in a high concentration. Vitamin A content in the bees decreased with progressive development. Thiamine in the larva and imago stages was found mainly in the body in an esterified form. Riboflavin in the bees was mostly FAD. Total ascorbic acid was 35 mg% and half of them was in a reduced form. Bees contained sodium, potassium, and phosphorus in a high concentration and the ratio of sodium and potassium varied throughout their development but phosphorus was constant at each stage.