Italo S. Aquino

Learning in the Africanized Honey Bee: Apis mellifera L.

Several series of experiments are reported that investigate learning in the Africanized honey bee. In the first series, classical conditioning of proboscis extension was studied by confining bees to small metal tubes where they received pairings of an odor with a 3-s feeding of sucrose. After a number of odor-sucrose pairings, the bees began to extend their proboscis to the odor. Controls include Unpaired, Discrimination, and Pseudoconditioning Groups. This technique was used to look at conditioning to a light CS, and to the odors of beeswax, geraniol, citral, and hexanal. The results indicate that acquisition was best when sucrose was paired with the odor of beeswax. Conditioning to the remaining odors was roughly similar, but acquisition did not occur using a light. In a second series of experiments, odors were no longer followed by sucrose feedings and the conditioned response slowly disappeared. With the exception of geraniol as a CS, this extinction effect did not occur if the animals continued to be fed on an unpaired schedule. In a third series of experiments, conditioned inhibition was demonstrated when geraniol was used as conditioned stimuli, but no effect was found when the odors of hexanal, citral and wax were used. In a fourth series of experiments, unrestrained bees flew back and forth from the laboratory to the hive, where they were taught to distinguish targets based on color and odor. With this technique, color and odor discrimination in the Africanized bees was demonstrated. In addition, it was found that more intruder bees visited the experimental station when the stimuli used were olfactory rather than visual.

Behavioral Studies of Learning in the Africanized Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.)

Experiments on basic classical conditioning phenomena in adult and young Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are described. Phenomena include conditioning to various stimuli, extinction (both unpaired and CS only), conditioned inhibition, color and odor discrimination. In addition to work on basic phenomena, experiments on practical applications of conditioning methodology are illustrated with studies demonstrating the effects of insecticides on learning and the reaction of bees to consumer products. Electron microscope photos are presented of Africanized workers, drones, and queen bees. Possible sub-species differences between Africanized and European bees are discussed.

The Attraction of Africanized Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) to Soft Drinks and Perfumes

Abstract The attraction of Africanized bees to soft drinks and perfumes was investigated. In the first experiment, the ability of bees to discriminate between two perfumes (Realm for Men and Realm for Women) was assessed. The results indicated that the scents could be used as conditioned stimuli. In the second experiment, bees were divided into individual groups and confined to small metal tubes. Groups were fed either Diet Pepsi, spring water (control), Diet Guarana, Diet Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Pepsi, Guarana, Sukita Orange, Fanta Orange, Fanta Grape, or sucrose (control). The dependent variable was the amount of time the bees proboscis was in contact with a strip of filter paper saturated with the substance. The results indicated little or no contact with the diet soft drinks and spring water, 45–65 s of contact with Coca-Cola, Sprite, Pepsi, Guarana, and Sukita Orange, and 75–140 s of contact with Fanta Orange, Fanta Grape, and sucrose (sucrose elicited the most contact of the substances tested...

Development of an Ethanol Model Using Social Insects: IV. Influence of Ethanol on the Aggression of Africanized Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera L.):

Experiments were designed to determine whether ethanol influenced aggression in honey bees. Two experiments are reported. In Exp. 1, harnessed honey bees were fed a 1%, 5%, 10%, or 20% ethanol solution. Two control groups received either a sucrose solution only or no pretreatment, respectively. The dependent variable was the number of sting extensions over 10 min. Analysis showed that aggression in harnessed bees was not influenced by prior ethanol consumption. Because there was some suspicion that the extension of the sting apparatus may be hindered by harnessing, and the authors wanted to use a design that increased ecological validity, Exp. 2 was conducted with free-flying bees. Sucrose or 20% ethanol solutions were placed in front of beehives, and the number of stings on a leather patch dangled in front of the hive served as the dependent variable. The experiment was terminated after 5 hr. because bees exposed to ethanol became dangerously aggressive. A unique aspect of the study was that Africanized honey bees were used.

rapid bioassay for detection of adulterated beeswax

Proboscis extension was used to test the ability of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) to detect beeswax adulterated with carnauba wax (Copernicia cerifera Arruda Camara). Subjects were exposed to eith...

Classical Conditioning of Proboscis Extension in Harnessed Africanized Honey Bee Queens (Apis Mellifera L.)

Experiments are reported on learning in virgin Africanized honey bee queens (Apis mellifera L.). Queens restrained in a “Pavlovian harness” received a pairing of hexanal odor with a 1.8-M feeding of sucrose solution. Compared to explicitly unpaired controls, acquisition was rapid in reaching about 90%. Acquisition was also rapid in queens receiving an unconditioned stimulus of “bee candy” or an unconditioned stimulus administered by worker bees. During extinction the conditioned response declines. The steepest decline was observed in queens receiving an unconditioned stimulus of bee candy. These findings extend previous work on learning of Africanized honey bee workers to a population of queen bees.

SOME PRELIMINARY STUDIES ON THE ABILITY OF AFRICANIZED HONEY BEES (APIS MELLIFERA L.) TO TOLERATE COLD TEMPERATURES WHEN PLACED INSIDE A REFRIGERATOR

Cold is often suggested as an ecological mechanism to prevent the migration of Africanized honey bees. The ability of Africanized honey bees to tolerate cold temperatures was investigated. In one study an observation hive was placed inside a refrigerator at 25°C. The study was conceptualized as a choice experiment in which the colony could remain in a cold environment or leave for a warm environment. Analysis indicated that the bees remained at 9 ± 1°C for 14 days before leaving. In a second series of studies, testing the tolerance to 0°C, 280 bees were placed individually in small metal tubes. The data gathered included survival rate, time to regain consciousness, and ability to feed. Analysis indicated that Africanized bees can survive for up to 3 hr. at 0°C with few ill effects. At 4 hr., however, the survival rate is low. Limitations of the study, the use of cold as a possible deterrent to honey bee mites, and suggestions for additional research are discussed.

Uso de zangões (Apis mellifera L.) na detecção de cera de abelha adulterada

This research evaluated the ability of Africanized honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) drones to detect adulterated beeswax using the proboscis extension reflex (PER). Two hundred and forty drones were divided into 12 groups containing different levels of adulterated beeswax (100% beeswax, 90% beeswax..., 10% beeswax, 0% beeswax). An air stimulus was included as a control for the possible influence of the air flux per se. The animals were maintained in metal tubes, harnessed with Ducktape® between the head and thorax. The results of the drones performance in PER olfactive conditioning indicate that these animals are able to detect different levels of adulterated beeswax. The drones shown a better response to the treatment containing 100% of beeswax. This bioassay can serve as an alternative tool in the screening of beeswax in beekeeping and industry.

Waxfilm (Pat. pend.): an alternative film for rearing parasitoids of Anthonomus grandis (Col., Curculionidae)

Abstract: Reducing the impact of insecticides on the environment is a matter of concern to researchers and the use of parasitoids for controlling pests is ecologically preferred. One of the methods used in the mass rearing of parasitoids requires the use of Parafilm®‘M’. This film is inconvenient for use in Brazil because of import restrictions and import duties. Waxfilm (Pat. pend.) is a film made from beeswax (Apis mellifera L.) that does not depend on importation, is 100% natural, 100% recyclable and 100% biodegradable. This film is used in the laboratory as an artificial flower bud, in which boll weevil Anthonomus grandis Boheman larvae are placed and then exposed to parasitoids. Research was conducted at a temperature of 25 ± 2°C and a relative humidity of 70 ± 5%. Bracon sp. and Catollacus grandis (Burks) parasitoids were tested for rearing using both films. The results show that, on the basis of the number of parasitoids that emerged, Waxfilm is as efficient as Parafilm®‘M’. This new film could have a large impact on biological control programmes in developing countries, where the use of cheap and locally available materials is very important to the successful implementation of new technologies. This would also provide increased income to indigenous beekeepers.