SummaryWorkers in queenright colonies with brood showed little ovary development; there was pronounced development in samples of workers (21–22 days old) from queenless broodless colonies, rather less development in workers from parts of queenless colonies separated from brood by single or double wire-mesh screens, and even less development in workers from queenless colonies with direct contact with brood.Many eggs (which ultimately gave rise to adult drones) were laid by workers in the broodless, queenless colonies containing used brood combs. No obvious differences were found in the various developmental stages between drones from eggs laid by workers and drones from eggs laid by queens.Results forA. c. indicawere fairly similar to those available forA. mellifera.