[Aim]  To investigate the expression of the lncRNA17000 gene in different tissues and developmental stages of Apis mellifera ligustica to provide a foundation for further functional and mechanistic studies of this gene. [Methods]  The expression of lncRNA17000 in various tissues was verified by RT-PCR, and its relative expression in different tissues and developmental stages was quantified using RT-qPCR. The cis, trans and competitive, endogenous RNA regulatory roles of lncRNA17000 were analyzed using relevant software. [Results]  Target fragments of the expected size were amplified in seven tissues of worker bees, including the brain, antennae, venom glands, midgut, epidermis, hypopharyngeal glands, and fat body. LncRNA17000 was differentially expressed in the above seven tissues, with significantly higher expression in the antennae than in the fat body (P<0.05). LncRNA17000 was also differentially expressed in eggs, larvae, prepupae, pupae, and adults, with significantly higher expression in 7-day-old prepupae than in 3-day-old larvae, 8-day-old prepupae, and 12-day-old pupae (P<0.05). LncRNA17000 expression in 6, 12, 15 and 18-day-old adults was significantly lower than in 1-day-old adults (P<0.05), and its expression decreased with age. LncRNA17000 potentially regulates the transcription of seven upstream and downstream genes and the expression of two co-expressed genes. It targets 45 miRNAs, which, in turn, target 66 mRNAs involved in 23 GO terms and 25 KEGG pathways. [Conclusion]  LncRNA17000 is widely expressed in several tissues and developmental stages of A. m. ligustica, but was most highly expressed in the antennae, 7-day-old prepupae and 1-day-old adults. LncRNA17000 is likely to regulate the transcription of the TFIID subunit 11 transcript variant X2 gene in a cis-like manner, and to modulate the expression of the pteropsin gene in a trans-like manner. It likely targets a series of miRNAs and mRNAs, thereby further regulating the insulin, ErbB and mTOR signaling pathways.