Mainly through chemical interactions. These interactions are processed by the production of pheromones, substances secreted by various glands that are perceived by the olfactory receptors present on the antennae. Pheromones are the primary means of stimulation and coordination of almost all bee activities. The pheromones produced by the queen, for example, inhibit the construction of royal cells (special cells for the development of future queens) by workers, inhibit the growth of the workers’ ovaries, attract the workers in general and particularly nursing mothers, which feed the queen with Royal jelly. The pheromones produced by virgin queens attract drones in nuptial flights.
