ABSTRACT
Communication of alarm by Apis mellifera involves the release of alarm pheromones associated with the sting and accompanying structures. The Committee on the African Honey Bee suggested that the increased aggressiveness of the Africanized bee might be due to an enhanced responsiveness to pheromones, or the release of greater quantities of pheromone. A bioassay procedure to evaluate the response of caged honey bee workers was developed for use under controlled laboratory conditions. Compounds derived from the honey bee sting were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The assay procedure described does in fact show that considerable variation in aspects of alarm communication exists in populations of the honey bee. The Susceptible bees were slower to react, but had similar duration. However, if a bee results that shows reduced activity levels as well, other economically important traits such as honey production could be adversely affected.
