Thermal learning in the honeybee,Apis mellifera

• DOI: 10.1242/jeb.034140
• Publication Date: 2009-11-13T18:40:55Z
• Authors: Tobin J. Hammer; Curtis Hata; James C. Nieh
• Keywords: Associative learning; Stimulus (psychology); Proboscis

Honeybee foragers are exposed to thermal stimuli when collecting food outside and receiving rewards inside the nest. In both contexts, there is an opportunity for associate warmth with rewards. However, honeybee learning poorly understood. Using associative paradigm (the proboscis extension reflex), we show that honeybees can learn a nectar reward heated stimulus applied antenna mimic natural contact warm flower or nectar-offering forager. Conditioning longer inter-trial intervals (ITI) significantly improved acquisition. We also trained bees discriminate between temperatures above (warm) below (cold) ambient air temperature. Learning acquisition by 38% per 10 degrees C increase in absolute intensity (difference rewarded temperature unrewarded temperature). learned positive better than negative differences, approximately twice as well compared -10 difference. Thus, thermosensation, sensory modality relatively unexplored honeybees, could play role of information from nestmates (social learning) foraging decisions influenced associations floral