The role of intruder behaviour in nestmate recognition by bumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

A series of experiments on the response of bumble bees to the introduction of bees into their colonies are reported. The two main effects, both of which were statistically significant, were (i) class of intruder (nestmate, alien conspecific, or heterospecific) and (ii) whether or not the intruder was anaesthetized. Significant interactions were also obtained: the difference in response of the resident bees to whether the intruders were conspecific or heterospecific depended also on whether or not the intruders were anaesthetized. The relevance of these results to the possibility that intruders are recognized by their behaviour (as well as their odour) is discussed.