Abstract

Foraging behavior was evaluated in honeybees trained to fly to a feeder containing sucrose only, 1% ethanol, 5% ethanol, or 10% ethanol. The results indicated that exposure to ethanol disrupted several types of honeybee social behavior within the hive. Consumption of ethanol at the feeding site reduced waggle dance activity in foraging bees and increased occurrence of tremble dance, food exchange, and self-cleaning behavior. These ethanol-induced changes in behavior may reflect effects on the central nervous system similar to the previously observed effects of food poisoning with sublethal doses of insecticides.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Bozic J, Abramson CI, Bedencic M

Institution

Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. janko.bozic@bf.uni-lj.si

Source

Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.) 38:3 2006 Apr pg 179-83

MeSH

Alcohol Drinking
Animal Communication
Animals
Bees
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Feeding Behavior
Grooming
Social Behavior

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16905444