ABSTRACT
African bees were crossing with European bees already present in Brazil but the tendency towards a change in defensive behavior on the part of the descendants in the various generations was unknown. When a genetic study is used to compare the aggressiveness or the defensive behavior of two different populations and to analyze the behavior of the descendants of their crosses it is necessary to use a method that will permit quantification of the differences between them. J. Lecomte carried out extensive work on defensive behavior using artificial models acting as hive enemies. He showed that motion and the odor of venom are important variables in triggering aggressive behavior. Genetic analysis of overall hive behavior requires genetic homogeneity of the workers that compose the hive. The differences in defensive behavior are strongly related to the production of volatile substances, which elicit several forms of alarm behavior.
