Comparison olfactory learning three races of bees (Apis mellifera meda, Apis mellifera carnica and Apis cerana F.) under laboratory conditions and memory recall in drones of hive honeybee species in Iran

Abstract

The proboscis extension reflex is a classical behavioral trait used to determine the learning behavior in honeybees to odors. The experiments on olfactory learning and memory recall in 3 drone bees of (A.m. meda), (A.m. carnica) and (A.c. indica) were conducted by conditioning to nine odors (10-hydroxy (E)-2 decanoic acid (10-HDA), Isopentyl Acetate (IPA), Nerol, Citral, Geraniol and Aldehyde groups such as (Hexanal, Heptanal, Octanal and Nonanal). The observations revealed that the drones of three species responded to the test odors with varied degrees of learning and memory recall. The level of memory recall was high for 10-HDA followed by Nerol, Octanal, Nonanal, Heptanal, Hexanal, Geraniol. However, the low response was recorded for Citral and IPA. The level of memory recall was greater in drones of (A.m. meda), than two races of bees (A.c. indica) and (A.m. carnica) and the highest level of learning and memory recall was recorded at 3 hrs.