The neuroethology of olfactory sex communication in the honeybee Apis mellifera L.

Dual olfactory pathway in the honeybee, Apis mellifera.

The antennal lobes (ALs) are the primary olfactory centers in the insect brain. In the AL of the honeybee, olfactory glomeruli receive input via four antennal sensory tracts (T1-4). Axons of projection neurons (PNs) leave the AL via several antenno-cerebral tracts (ACTs). To assign the input-output connectivity of all glomeruli, we investigated the spatial relationship of the antennal tracts an...

Circadian rhythmicity and olfactory learning in the honeybee Apis mellifera

Olfactory detectability of L-amino acids in the European honeybee (Apis mellifera).

The honeybee is one of several insect model systems for the study of olfaction, yet our knowledge regarding the spectrum of odorants detectable by Apis mellifera is limited. One class of odorants that has never been tested so far are the amino acids, which are important constituents of floral nectar. Using the proboscis extension response paradigm, we assessed whether the odor of amino acids is...

Thermal learning in the honeybee, Apis mellifera.

Honeybee foragers are exposed to thermal stimuli when collecting food outside and receiving food rewards inside the nest. In both contexts, there is an opportunity for foragers to associate warmth with food rewards. However, honeybee thermal learning is poorly understood. Using an associative learning paradigm (the proboscis extension reflex), we show that honeybees can learn to associate a nec...

Pigmentation of Some Honeybee, Apis Mellifera L., Products

Some floral pigments (including antioxidants); carotenoids, chlorophylls, anthocyanins and xanthophylls were determined colorimetrically in some honeybee, Apis mellifera L., products; citrus, clover and cotton honeys, three types of beeswax; white, brown and dark and propolis; brown, dark brown and dark. Two solvents (acetone or ethanol) were used for extraction and determination of pigments at...