Effect of Olfactory Stimulus on the Flight Course of a Honeybee, Apis mellifera, in a Wind Tunnel

Bibliographic Details
Title: Effect of Olfactory Stimulus on the Flight Course of a Honeybee, Apis mellifera, in a Wind Tunnel
Authors: Hidetoshi Ikeno, Tadaaki Akamatsu, Yuji Hasegawa, Hiroyuki Ai
Source: Insects, Vol 5, Iss 1, Pp 92-104 (2013)
Publisher Information: MDPI AG, 2013.
Publication Year: 2013
Collection: LCC:Science
Subject Terms: odor source search, flight control, foraging flight, honeybee, wind tunnel, Science
More Details: It is known that the honeybee, Apis mellifera, uses olfactory stimulus as important information for orienting to food sources. Several studies on olfactory-induced orientation flight have been conducted in wind tunnels and in the field. From these studies, optical sensing is used as the main information with the addition of olfactory signals and the navigational course followed by these sensory information. However, it is not clear how olfactory information is reflected in the navigation of flight. In this study, we analyzed the detailed properties of flight when oriented to an odor source in a wind tunnel. We recorded flying bees with a video camera to analyze the flight area, speed, angular velocity and trajectory. After bees were trained to be attracted to a feeder, the flight trajectories with or without the olfactory stimulus located upwind of the feeder were compared. The results showed that honeybees flew back and forth in the proximity of the odor source, and the search range corresponded approximately to the odor spread area. It was also shown that the angular velocity was different inside and outside the odor spread area, and trajectories tended to be bent or curved just outside the area.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2075-4450
Relation: http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/5/1/92; https://doaj.org/toc/2075-4450
DOI: 10.3390/insects5010092
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/14475fc2638742a0a70f1d9afb003225
Accession Number: edsdoj.14475fc2638742a0a70f1d9afb003225
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:20754450
DOI:10.3390/insects5010092
Published in:Insects
Language:English