Key Points from the Lecture: Smoke Conditions Affect the Release of the Venom Droplet in Honey Bees

Abstract

• Honey bees (Apis mellifera) use coordinated defensive behaviors to protect their nests' valuable resources.
• Beekeepers use smoke to manage colonies and reduce the likelihood of stings, though the reason for its efficacy is not completely understood.
• This study examines the effects of smoke on honey bee defensive behavior, specifically the sting extension reflex under smoke conditions.
• Smoke does not influence the probability of sting extension but affects whether a venom droplet is released with the stinger.
• The venom droplet might amplify the sting alarm pheromone; smoke reduces its release.

Defensive Behavior of Honey Bees

• Honey bees protect valuable resources like pollen, nectar, brood, queen, and colony.
• Guard bees patrol the hive entrance and are sensitive to disturbances.
• Disturbance leads to the release of alarm pheromones, increasing hive defense.
• Smoke is used by beekeepers to reduce defensive behavior and manage hives.

Study Overview

• Examined individual honey bee sting extension responses under smoke.
• Two types of smoke used: burlap (commonly used) and hops (sedative properties).
• Conducted electric shock tests on bees to analyze sting reflex with/without smoke.

Methodology

Bees

• Bees collected from European colonies (Apis mellifera ligustica).
• Bees exposed to smoke conditions: No smoke, Burlap smoke, and Hops smoke.

Experimental Setup

• Bees restrained and exposed to perturbation via electric shocks (1-8 volts).
• Smoke introduced into chamber, and effects on behavior observed.

Smoke Types

• Burlap and Hops used as fuel sources for smoke.

Sting Extension Reflex Observations

• Components observed: abdomen curl, tergite separation, sting extension, and venom droplet release.

Results

Abdomen Curl

• Smoke increased abdomen curling at 1 V, especially with burlap.
• No significant differences at higher voltages.

Tergite Separation

• Instances increased with voltage; unaffected by smoke.

Sting Extension

• Linear increase with voltage; no smoke effect.

Venom Droplet

• Less likely released under smoke, especially at higher voltages.
• Hops smoke showed significant reduction at 8 V.

Discussion

• Smoke's efficacy might be linked to reduced venom droplet release, reducing alarm pheromone.
• Smoke does not reduce sting reflex but impacts venom droplet release.
• Suggests possible connection between venom droplets and alarm pheromone.

Conclusion

• Smoke reduces honey bee defensiveness by minimizing venom droplet release.
• Both burlap and hops smoke effective, with hops showing more reduction at high voltages.

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to contributors and funding sources for supporting the research.

References

• Cited various studies and historical findings related to bee venom and defensive behavior.

Metrics

• Article received 7,300 views since publication.

Additional Materials

• Supplementary data available online.