General paper
The influence of age and task specialization on the production and perception of honey bee pheromones

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1910(87)90003-5Get rights and content

Abstract

The production and perception of honey bee pheromones were studied in workers of different ages and task specializations. Electroantennogram responses increased to a maximum by days 6–12 and no differences were seen between bees performing different tasks. Levels of production of isopentyl acetate, octyl acetate, (E)-2-octenyl acetate, butyl acetate, and hexyl acetate increased with age to maximal levels at days 30–40. Production of 2-nonanol, 2-nonyl acetate, benzyl acetate, and benzyl alcohol differed from the above compounds, with most workers producing very low levels and a few producing very high levels. When examined by task specialization, foragers produced higher levels of benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, and 2-nonanol than guards, fanners, or comb bees respectively.

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