Posted on: 02 March, 2017
Author: Alexander P
There is little evidence for these pheromones. Indeed, under natural conditions the Nasonov pheromone is effective as an attractant in several different behavioural contexts (i.e. when clustering, at ... There is little evidence for these pheromones. Indeed, under natural conditions the Nasonov pheromone is effective as an attractant in several different behavioural contexts (i.e. when clustering, at the hive entrance, at a source of water) but in each of these situations the nerol and farnesol components appear to have no inuence or are slightly repellent. Frequently two or more pheromones are released during a behavioural situation, sometimes from different castes. (For example from queen mandibular glands and worker Nasonov glands to attract and guide a swarm; from queen mandibular glands and tergite glands to attract a drone to mate; from worker mandibular glands and sting chambers to elicit alarm and attack, and to mark opponents; from queen mandibular glands, tarsal glands and tergite glands to advertise the queen’s presence.) This must help to endorse the specicity of the signal. Furthermore, the pheromones being released will inevitably be associated with the ever present colony odour and trail pheromones according to http://youthbruce.com/dealing-pheromones-break/ Chemical specicity may be further aided by ecological or behavioural specialities. For example, male bumblebees mark their ight routes with highly specic attractant blends but in addition males of different species may occupy different ecological areas, y at different heights above ground, and at somewhat different times of the season. The connes of a honeybee colony, with numerous contacts and exchanges between individuals of the same or different castes, and between individuals at different stages of maturity must embrace numerous pheromone systems so far undiscovered. There are many possibilities. Bees performing communication dances on the comb surface may release pheromones to help complement the information from the dance itself. Submissive bees being scrutinized by guard bees may release ‘appeasement’ pheromones. Seeking or offering food could well be associated with special pheromones. Bees may release a pheromone signal when they are trying to induce others to groom them. Bees that are dead or dying are readily recognized and removed from the nests; they may emit a pheromone that attracts the attention of ‘undertaker’ bees. Special pheromones may be released prior to a swarm’s departure from its mother colony, or before an entire colony migrates or absconds. The function of the Dufour gland which is so important in ground nesting solitary bees and ants could well repay study. As more pheromone components are identied and their functions deter- mined the sophistication and elegance of communication within the bee colony will become increasingly apparent. Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com Alexander P is a blogger from Los Angeles who studies pheromones.