Thermal learning in the honeybee, Apis mellifera

The Journal of Experimental Biology
Tobin J HammerJames C Nieh

Abstract

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

References

Jan 1, 1988·Annual Review of Neuroscience·R A Rescorla
Jan 1, 1982·Cell and Tissue Research·F YokohariH Tateda
Jan 1, 1996·Annual Review of Neuroscience·R Menzel, U Muller
Jan 1, 1997·Physiology & Behavior·S Bhagavan, B H Smith
May 2, 1998·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·R E PageM K Fondrk
Jun 6, 2000·Learning & Memory·B Gerber, R Menzel
Oct 1, 1957·Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology·L J KAMIN
Nov 25, 2003·Nature·Roger S SeymourMarc Gibernau
Jun 26, 2004·Science·Julia C JonesBenjamin P Oldroyd
Oct 7, 2004·Learning & Memory·Jean-Christophe Sandoz, Minh-Hà Pham-Delègue
Jan 21, 2006·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·Sayaka HoriTakeo Kubo
Apr 1, 1981·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·M D Breed
Jul 25, 2006·Current Biology : CB·Pinar LetzkusMandyam V Srinivasan
Aug 4, 2006·Nature·Adrian G DyerLars Chittka
Mar 27, 2007·Journal of Insect Physiology·C J KleineidamF Roces
Jul 20, 2007·Journal of Comparative Physiology. A, Neuroethology, Sensory, Neural, and Behavioral Physiology·Martin Giurfa
Sep 7, 2007·Annual Review of Entomology·Reuven Dukas
Nov 22, 2007·Biology Letters·Pinar LetzkusMandyam V Srinivasan
Jun 5, 2008·Die Naturwissenschaften·Heather M WhitneyBeverley J Glover

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Aug 8, 2012·Die Naturwissenschaften·Elisabeth H FrostNeil Kirk Hillier
Aug 2, 2013·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Susan W NicolsonChristian W W Pirk
Jul 20, 2011·Journal of Insect Physiology·Elisabeth H FrostNeil Kirk Hillier
Nov 15, 2015·Genes, Brain, and Behavior·M S McNeillG E Robinson
Dec 20, 2017·ELife·Michael Jm HarrapHeather M Whitney
Jan 1, 2014·Insects·Elisa FrasnelliGiorgio Vallortigara
Jun 20, 2020·Emerging Topics in Life Sciences·Maxence GérardDenis Michez
Aug 2, 2020·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Lianhui ShiZhigang Wu
Sep 1, 2013·Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. Cognitive Science·Clint J PerryKen Cheng
Jan 30, 2021·BMC Research Notes·Sean A Rands, Michael J M Harrap
Feb 27, 2021·Plant Methods·Michael J M Harrap, Sean A Rands
Mar 20, 2021·The Science of the Total Environment·Ana Lilia Alzate-MarinCarlos A Martinez
Jan 16, 2022·The Science of the Total Environment·Raquel Pérez MalufCarlos A Martinez

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.