EFFECTS OF HONEY-BEE (APIS-MELLIFERA L) QUEEN MANDIBULAR GLAND PHEROMONE ON FORAGING AND BROOD REARING
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| Authors: | HIGO, HA; COLLEY, SJ; WINSTON, ML; SLESSOR, KN |
| Year: | 1992 |
| Journal: | Can. Entomol. 124: 409-418 Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | EFFECTS OF HONEY-BEE (APIS-MELLIFERA L) QUEEN MANDIBULAR GLAND PHEROMONE ON FORAGING AND BROOD REARING |
| Abstract: | We investigated the effects of synthetic honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) queen mandibular gland pheromone on colony foraging and brood rearing. Colonies newly established in the spring showed a significant, dose-dependent increase in the number of foragers gathering pollen, and individual pollen foragers returned to the nest with larger pollen loads. These two effects combined resulted in a doubling of the amount of pollen brought into colonies by foraging bees. Brood rearing also increased, but not significantly. In contrast, large, established colonies showed no effects at their summer population peak. We conclude that queen mandibular pheromone can significantly affect foraging, but its effects depend on colony conditions and environmental factors. |
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