Changes in the circulatory system during the post-embryonic developmental stages of workers and drones of Apis cerana indica F.

The post embryonic stages of Apis cerana indica F. starting from 1st instar larva to newly emerged adult were studied for histological changes and development of heart and haemocytes. The thickness of wall of heart and the diameter of lumen gradually increases with the growth of larvae into various developmental instars, but no morphological changes were recorded in pupal and adult stages excepting an increase in the diameter of lumen. The shape of haemocytes of A.c. indica is oval or rounded. These cells are mesodermal in origin and have large nuclei occupying the major portion of wall. Histological studies revealed that there were no differences in the structure and morphogenesis of the heart and haemocytes of both the workers and drones.