Pheromone Communication in the Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated a remarkable and unexpected complexity in social insect pheromone communication, particularly for honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). The intricate interactions characteristic of social insects demand a complex language, based on specialized chemical signals that provide a syntax that is deeper in complexity and richer in nuance than previously imagined. Here, we discuss this rapidly evolving field for honeybees, the only social insect for which any primer pheromones have been identified. Novel research has demonstrated the importance of complexity, synergy, context, and dose, mediated through spatial and temporal pheromone distribution, and has revealed an unprecedented wealth of identified semiochemicals and functions. These new results demand fresh terminology, and we propose adding "colony pheromone" and "passenger pheromone" to the current terms sociochemical, releaser, and primer pheromone to better encompass our growing understanding of chemical communication in social insects.

Order, Disorder, Death: Lessons from a Superorganism

“…Stored pollen is consumed by nurse bees that convert it into the proteinaceous secretions of the hypopharyngeal glands (Crailsheim et al, 1992). Stored pollen inhibits pollen foraging, while pheromones produced by larvae (methyl palmitate, methyl stearate, methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, methyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl stearate, ethyl linoleate, ethyl linolenate, and ethyl oleate) (Slessor et al, 2005) stimulate pollen foraging (Fewell and Winston, 1992;Pankiw et al, 1998). Colonies, therefore, regulate the amount of stored pollen probably through a combination of the inhibiting effects of pollen and stimulating effects of brood pheromone.…”

Queen mandibular pheromone: questions that remain to be resolved

“…While this possibly highlights a functional difference between the macroglomerular complex of male moths and that of drone honey bees, there is no evidence currently that either, HVA or HOB play a role in sexual communication in the bee. These aromatic compounds are known, however, to play an important role in queenworker interactions (Slessor et al 1988(Slessor et al , 2005.…”

“…However, a mated, egg-laying queen is essential for the survival of the whole colony and components of QMP, including 9ODA, play a critical role also in regulating the behaviour and physiology of worker bees (Slessor et al 2005). Changes in the chemical composition of QMP after mating turn the queen's sex appeal into an olfactory aura that has a significant impact on workers and particularly, on young worker bees (reviewed by Slessor et al 2005). The behavioural and physiological effects of this pheromone are well documented (Free 1987;Slessor et al 2005;Winston and Slessor 1992) and are described in recent reviews Slessor et al 2005).…”

“…Changes in the chemical composition of QMP after mating turn the queen's sex appeal into an olfactory aura that has a significant impact on workers and particularly, on young worker bees (reviewed by Slessor et al 2005). The behavioural and physiological effects of this pheromone are well documented (Free 1987;Slessor et al 2005;Winston and Slessor 1992) and are described in recent reviews Slessor et al 2005). QMP as a blend acts as an attractant that plays a role in eliciting retinue behaviour in young worker bees (Slessor et al 1988; Figure 2).…”

“…The key components of this complex mixture of compounds are shown in Figure 1. While QMP has many effects on the behaviour and physiology of adult worker bees (reviewed by Slessor et al 2005), and significant effects also on levels of gene expression in the brain (Grozinger et al 2003), relatively little is known as yet about the mechanisms that support the actions of this important multicomponent pheromone. Here, we take advantage of extensive studies of pheromone processing in moths to highlight gaps in our knowledge that need to be addressed in order to understand the actions of QMP.…”