Which gland in honey bees is responsible for producing royal jelly?

The hypopharyngeal gland is responsible for producing royal jelly in honey bees. This gland is located in the worker bees and is crucial for the development of queen bees. Royal jelly is a nutrient-rich substance secreted by young worker bees and is fed to all bee larvae during their early development, but it is exclusively given to the queen larvae throughout their development. The hypopharyngeal gland’s ability to produce royal jelly is essential for the growth and health of the colony's queen, and thus it plays a pivotal role in the overall reproductive success of honey bee colonies.

Understanding the functions of the other glands can provide perspective on their roles in the hive. The Nasonov gland produces a pheromone that helps in communication and guiding bees, particularly during foraging. Wax glands are responsible for producing beeswax, which the bees use to construct honeycomb. The mandibular gland plays a role in producing pheromones that regulate colony behavior and queen signaling, but it does not produce royal jelly. Each of these glands has distinct functions that contribute to the colony, highlighting the specialization and complexity of honey bee biology.