Using errors by guard honeybees (Apis mellifera) to
gain new insights into nestmate recognition signals

Pradella, D; Martin, SJ; Dani, FR

Abstract

Although the honeybee (Apis mellifera) is one of the world most studied insects, the chemical
compounds used in nestmate recognition, remains an open question. By exploiting the error prone
recognition system of the honeybee, coupled with genotyping, we studied the correlation between
cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profile of returning foragers and acceptance or rejection behavior
by guards. We revealed an average recognition error rate of 14% across 3 study colonies, that is,
allowing a non-nestmate colony entry, or preventing a nestmate from entry, which is lower than
reported in previous studies. By analyzing CHCs, we found that CHC profile of returning foragers
correlates with acceptance or rejection by guarding bees. Although several CHC were identified
as potential recognition cues, only a subset of 4 differed consistently for their relative amount
between accepted and rejected individuals in the 3 studied colonies. These include a unique group
of 2 positional alkene isomers (Z-8 and Z-10), which are almost exclusively produced by the bees
Bombus and Apis spp, and may be candidate compounds for further study.

Citation

gain new insights into nestmate recognition signals. Chemical Senses, 40(9), 649-653. https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjv053

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 30, 2015
• Publication Date: Sep 18, 2015
• Deposit Date: Dec 1, 2015
• Journal: Chemical Senses
• Print ISSN: 0379-864X
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Volume: 40
• Issue: 9
• Pages: 649-653
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjv053
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/chemse/bjv053
• Related Public URLs: http://chemse.oxfordjournals.org/