Electroantennogram Response of Apis mellifera to Three Alarm Pheromone Components after Feeding on Tea Polyphenols

PurposeThe electroantennogram (EAG) response of foragers of Apis mellifera to three alarm pheromone components was measured after they fed on tea polyphenols, in, order to provide reference and scientific basis for exploring the role of tea polyphenols in neurobiology.

MethodsForagers of A. mellifera after feeding on different mass concentrations of tea polyphenols (TP) for different durations were used as test material. Their electroantennogram (EAG) responses to three alarm pheromone components isopentyl acetate (IPA), octayl acetate (OA) and benzyl acetate (BA) was detected by the electroantennography.

ResultCompared with short-acting, long-acting could be more effective to enhance the EAG responses of forager to three alarm pheromone components. Foragers with short-acting exhibited lower EAG response to OA than to IPA. However, the EAG response of foragers with long-acting to OA was stronger than that to IPA. BA elicited the strongest EAG response of bees among three alarm pheromone components.

ConclusionOur results verified that the sensitivity of bees to different alarm pheromones components would change significantly under TP intervention, suggesting that TP improved the adaptability of bees to the changes of environment.