MILLER, Ginger; LOUDON, Catherine; SMITH, Brian; University of Kansas, Lawrence; University of Kansas, Lawrence; Ohio State University, Columbus : Do movements of honeybee antennae change in response to odorants?

Honeybees have numerous sensory hairs distributed along the length of their antennae. In general, these antennal sensilla increase in number from proximal to distal. Because of this uneven distribution of sensors and the way in which the shape of the antennae interacts physically with the environment, antennal movements have important consequences for odorant molecule capture and, therefore, perception. Antennal movements were videotaped during presentation of two odorants (geraniol and 1-hexanol) and a control blank. Bee responses were recorded both before and after being trained to associate a food reward with an odorant, as demonstrated by a proboscis extension response. The movements of the antennae were analyzed in three-dimensional space by digitizing the base, elbow, and distal tip of each antenna. Two 45-degree mirrors placed alongside the bee provided the camera with a simultaneous image of the antennal movements from the top and sides. Antennal movements increased in response to odorants. Left and right antennae are moved independently of each other.