Appetitive reversal learning differences of two honey bee subspecies with different foraging behaviors.

We aimed to examine mechanistically the observed foraging differences across two honey bee, , subspecies using the proboscis extension response assay. Specifically, we compared differences in appetitive reversal learning ability between honey bee subspecies: (Pollman), and (Skorikov) in a "common garden" apiary. It was hypothesized that specific learning differences could explain previously observed foraging behavior differences of these subspecies: switches between different flower color morphs in response to reward variability, and does not switch.

Individual responsiveness to shock and colony-level aggression in honey bees: evidence for a genetic component.

The phenotype of the social group is related to phenotypes of individuals that form that society. We examined how honey bee colony aggressiveness relates to individual response of male drones and foraging workers. Although the natural focus in colony aggression has been on the worker caste, the sterile females engaged in colony maintenance and defense, males carry the same genes.