Bombus terrestris confined under conditions of constant temperature and surplus sugar and pollen sometimes produce queen larvae in their first brood. Does anyone have evidence for whether this may be due to pathogens, pollen quality or any other factor?
This is part of the more general question of "premature" (or at least highly variable timing of) sexual production in commercially reared colonies. I have been outside the academic sphere of access to literature for a long time and would appreciate recent references to Bombus sexual production that may be relevant to practical interventions.
Thank you.