Research published in the journal Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has revealed that bumble bee worker bees have a more democratic role in selecting their future queen than previously understood. The study indicates that the juvenile hormone, which is crucial for insect development, is passed from worker bees to larvae through food. The more juvenile hormone a larva receives, the greater the likelihood it will develop into a queen. This challenges the traditional view of bee colonies as strictly hierarchical, suggesting instead a decentralized system where worker bees influence the future of their colony. The study also highlights the physical differences between queens and workers, with queens being larger and capable of reproduction. The researchers found that larvae are sensitive to juvenile hormone during specific developmental stages, particularly days seven and eight. As the bumble bee colony ages, workers increase the hormone levels in the food they provide, which can lead to the production of more queens. This understanding could improve bumble bee breeding practices, which are vital for pollination.