Communication
|
|
Communication
The Book of Bees opens it's chapter on communication with the statement "As for all social animals, effective communication between it's members of a colony is critical for it's success." The certainly the case for honey bees, which like our bees, use a variety of techniques to communicate.
Chemical
The nature of the chemical communication between
members of the colony is clearly subtle and complex.
A number of key pheromones have been identified
and characterised. Generally comprised of mixtures of
organic compounds, they are released from special glands
on the bee. A well-known example is the alarm pheromone
which is comprised the following substances:
Butyl acetate;
1-Hexanol;
n-Butanol;
1-Octanol;
Hexyl acetate;
Acetate2-nonanol.
Thermal
Thermal communication is only used by the queen.
Displeasure at individuals is expressed through the use
of her sting, while the nest temperature communicates
the health of the colony.
The Book of Bees opens it's chapter on communication with the statement "As for all social animals, effective communication between it's members of a colony is critical for it's success." The certainly the case for honey bees, which like our bees, use a variety of techniques to communicate.
Chemical
The nature of the chemical communication between
members of the colony is clearly subtle and complex.
A number of key pheromones have been identified
and characterised. Generally comprised of mixtures of
organic compounds, they are released from special glands
on the bee. A well-known example is the alarm pheromone
which is comprised the following substances:
Butyl acetate;
1-Hexanol;
n-Butanol;
1-Octanol;
Hexyl acetate;
Acetate2-nonanol.
Thermal
Thermal communication is only used by the queen.
Displeasure at individuals is expressed through the use
of her sting, while the nest temperature communicates
the health of the colony.