Pheromones: Chemical Communication in the Hive

Flashcards covering the vocabulary related to pheromones and chemical communication in honey bees.

Pheromone

A chemical secreted to the outside by an individual that causes a specific change in behavior in another individual of the same species.

Releaser pheromones

Pheromones that elicit a rapid behavioral change in the recipient.

Primer pheromones

Pheromones that elicit a longer response time involving physiology and/or behavior of the recipient.

Queen Mandibular Pheromone (QMP)

A complex of pheromones from the queen that regulates the colony functions and development.

Brood pheromones

Pheromones that stimulate brood care and are important for the recognition and incubation of brood.

Alarm pheromones

Pheromones that mark victims and generate a rapid response, typically volatile and dissipate quickly.

Nasanov pheromone

A pheromone produced by workers to attract and guide bees to feeding sites or to mark the entrance of nests.

Sex pheromones

Pheromones used for attracting mates, important in sexual reproduction among bees.

Alarm Pheromone Components

Includes iso-pentyl acetate, butyl acetate, and other components that enhance flight activity and recruit bees.

Queen fertility signal

Signals produced by the queen to maintain reproductive capacity and inhibit worker ovary development.

Exocrine glands

Glands that secrete pheromones to influence behavior and physiology in honey bee colonies.

Chemical communication

The use of chemical signals (pheromones) to convey information among individuals of the same species.