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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.
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