Evolution and molecular basis of caste differentiation in bees

Our aim was to identify the genes that are responsible for caste differentiation in the primitively eusocial bumble bee, Bombus terrestris. To do this we extracted RNA from both queen- and worker-destined larvae. We extracted RNA from three key stages during bumble bee development (before, during, and after their caste becomes fixed), and then sent the sequencing to the Earlham Institute. They used mRNAseq to isolate the RNA from each developmental stage and caste pathway. Overall design: We used mRNAseq to identify the RNA profiles in queen and worker-destined larvae in the bumble bee Bombus terrestris, the RNA was extracted from three developmental stages in each caste pathway.