Retinue behavior is the action of worker bees towards the queen including antennating, grooming and trophallaxis. A substance produced by the mandibular glands of the queen is thought to be the trigger for this retinue behavior. Antennating is the tapping movement of the antennae displayed by the bees in the presence of a queen. The retinue consists of 6-10 worker bees. The quantity is smaller in the fall/winter months. See (“retinue”) for more information.
