Journal
CHEMOECOLOGY
Volume 15, Issue 3, Pages 135-138Publisher
SPRINGER BASEL AG
DOI: 10.1007/s00049-005-0303-y
Keywords
bee olfaction; EAG; sensory specialisation; Euglossini; euglossine bees
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Male orchid bees (Euglossini) are attracted to floral and non-floral odours, which they collect and accumulate in hind tibial cavities for subsequent exposure during courtship. Fragrance preferences are species-specific, leading to relatively specialised pollination of euglossophilous plants. We tested the hypothesis that preferences for attractive compounds have led to species-specific sensory adaptations that are measurable by electroantennography (EAG). All of 16 synthetic fragrance compounds elicited significant responses on male bee antennae, with some difference of response spectra between individuals of Euglossa spp. and bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) controls, but no difference between three different species of Euglossa. There was no correspondence between a compounds' attractiveness in baiting assays and the size of its electrophysiological response. Our results strengthen the view that fragrance preferences are largely mediated by processes in higher nervous centres. Peripheral sensory tuning to single attractive odorants may be constrained by the need to detect and discriminate between many fragrances, including many that have repellent effects on male bees.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available