scholarly journals Higher-order discrimination learning by honey bees in a virtual environment

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Buatois ◽  
Lou Laroche ◽  
Aurore Avarguès-Weber ◽  
Martin Giurfa
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Visual Discrimination ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Negative Patterning ◽  
Stimulus Ambiguity ◽  
Cognitive Challenge ◽  
Immersive Environment ◽  
Elemental Learning ◽  
Visual Domain ◽  
First Time

AbstractNon-elemental learning constitutes a cognitive challenge because, contrary to elemental learning forms, it does not rely on simple associations, as events to be learned are usually ambiguous in terms of reinforcement outcome. Negative patterning constitutes a paradigmatic case of non-elemental learning, as subjects have to learn that single elements A and B are reinforced while their conjunctive representation AB is not reinforced (A+, B+ vs. AB-). Solving this problem requires treating the compound AB as being different from the linear sum of its components in order to overcome stimulus ambiguity (A+/A- and B+/B-). The honey bee is the only insect capable of mastering negative patterning as shown by numerous studies restricted mainly to the olfactory domain. Here we studied the capacity of bees to solve a negative patterning discrimination in the visual domain and used to this end a virtual reality (VR) environment in which a tethered bee walking stationary on a treadmill faces visual stimuli projected on a semicircular screen. Stimuli are updated by the bee’s movements, thus creating an immersive environment. Bees were trained to discriminate single-colored gratings rewarded with sucrose solution (blue, green; A+, B+) from a non-rewarded composite grating (blue-green, AB-). Bees learned this discrimination in the VR environment and inhibited to this end linear processing of the composite grating, which otherwise is treated as the sum of its components. Our results show for the first time mastering of a non-linear visual discrimination in a VR environment by honey bees, thus highlighting the value of VR for the study of cognition in insects.

scholarly journals Sucrose solution as a new viscous test fluid with tunable viscosities up to 2 Pas for micromixing characterization by the Villermaux–Dushman reaction

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias Arian ◽  
Werner Pauer
Keyword(s):  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Viscous Medium ◽  
Stirred Tank ◽  
Test Fluid ◽  
Tank Reactor ◽  
Experimental Implementation ◽  
Sucrose Solutions ◽  
Viscous Solution ◽  
First Time ◽  
Dushman Reaction

AbstractFor the first time, micromixing characterization for the Villermaux–Dushman reaction could be performed with a non-reactive viscous medium at viscosities up to 2 Pas. As viscous medium, sucrose solution was used with the benefit of being a Newtonian fluid with tuneable viscosity. Due to the higher viscosities in comparison to established media for micromixing investigations, a new protocol for the experimental implementation was developed. Micromixing experiments were conducted and the applicability of viscous sucrose solutions was proven in a stirred tank reactor. Major challenges in characterizing micromixing efficiency in high viscous solution were consolidated.

Metagenomic analysis of bat guano samples revealed the presence of viruses potentially carried by insects, among others by Apis mellifera in Hungary

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-161
Author(s):  
Brigitta Zana ◽  
Gábor Kemenesi ◽  
Péter Urbán ◽  
Fanni Földes ◽  
Tamás Görföl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Metagenomic Analysis ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Big Sioux River ◽  
Bee Colonies ◽  
Close Genetic Relationship ◽  
Paralysis Virus ◽  
Bat Guano

The predominance of dietary viruses in bat guano samples had been described recently, suggesting a new opportunity to survey the prevalence and to detect new viruses of arthropods or even plant-infecting viruses circulating locally in the ecosystem. Here we describe the diversity of viruses belonging to the order Picornavirales in Hungarian insectivorous bat guano samples. The metagenomic analysis conducted on our samples has revealed the significant predominance of aphid lethal paralysis virus (ALPV) and Big Sioux River virus (BSRV) in Hungary for the first time. Phylogenetic analysis was used to clarify the relationship to previously identified ALPV strains infecting honey bees, showing that our strain possesses a close genetic relationship with the strains that have already been described as pathogenic to honey bees. Furthermore, studies have previously confirmed the ability of these viruses to replicate in adult honey bees; however, no signs related to these viruses have been revealed yet. With the identification of two recently described possibly honey bee infecting viruses for the first time in Hungary, our results might have importance for the health conditions of Hungarian honey bee colonies in the future.

scholarly journals Social Fever or General Immune Response? Revisiting an Example of Social Immunity in Honey Bees

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 528
Author(s):  
Michael Goblirsch ◽  
Jenny F. Warner ◽  
Brooke A. Sommerfeldt ◽  
Marla Spivak
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Temperature Sensitive ◽  
Social Immunity ◽  
Nest Temperature ◽  
Ascosphaera Apis ◽  
Response To Temperature ◽  
Brood Nest

Honey bees use several strategies to protect themselves and the colony from parasites and pathogens. In addition to individual immunity, social immunity involves the cumulative effort of some individuals to limit the spread of parasites and pathogens to uninfected nestmates. Examples of social immunity in honey bees that have received attention include hygienic behavior, or the removal of diseased brood, and the collection and deposition of antimicrobial resins (propolis) on interior nest surfaces. Advances in our understanding of another form of social immunity, social fever, are lacking. Honey bees were shown to raise the temperature of the nest in response to temperature-sensitive brood pathogen, Ascosphaera apis. The increase in nest temperature (−0.6 °C) is thought to limit the spread of A. apis infection to uninfected immatures. We established observation hives and monitored the temperature of the brood nest for 40 days. This observation period was broken into five distinct segments, corresponding to sucrose solution feedings—Pre-Feed, Feed I, Challenge, Feed II, and Post-Feed. Ascosphaera apis was administered to colonies as a 1% solution of ground sporulating chalkbrood mummies in 50% v/v sucrose solution, during the Challenge period. Like previous reports, we observed a modest increase in brood nest temperature during the Challenge period. However, all hives presented signs of chalkbrood disease, suggesting that elevation of the nest temperature was not sufficient to stop the spread of infection among immatures. We also began to explore the molecular mechanisms of temperature increase by exposing adult bees in cages to A. apis, without the presence of immatures. Compared to adult workers who were given sucrose solution only, workers exposed to A. apis showed increased expression of the antimicrobial peptides abaecin (p = 0.07) and hymenoptaecin (p = 0.04), but expression of the heat shock response protein Hsp 70Ab-like (p = 0.76) and the nutritional marker vitellogenin (p = 0.72) were unaffected. These results indicate that adult honey bee workers exposed to a brood pathogen elevate the temperature of the brood nest and initiate an immune response, but the effect of this fever on preventing disease requires further study.

First Complete Genome of Lake Sinai Virus Lineage 3 and Genetic Diversity of Lake Sinai Virus Strains From Honey Bees and Bumble Bees

2020 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 1055-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Šimenc ◽  
Urška Kuhar ◽  
Urška Jamnikar-Ciglenečki ◽  
Ivan Toplak
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Complete Genome ◽  
Bumble Bees ◽  
Bumble Bee ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Genome Region ◽  
Pcr Method ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs ◽  
First Time

Abstract The complete genome of Lake Sinai virus 3 (LSV3) was sequenced by the Ion Torrent next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology from an archive sample of honey bees collected in 2010. This strain M92/2010 is the first complete genome sequence of LSV lineage 3. From October 2016 to December 2017, 56 honey bee samples from 32 different locations and 41 bumble bee samples from five different locations were collected. These samples were tested using a specific reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method; 75.92% of honey bee samples and 17.07% of bumble bee samples were LSV-positive with the RT-PCR method. Phylogenetic comparison of 557-base pair-long RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) genome region of selected 23 positive samples of honey bees and three positive bumble bee samples identified three different LSV lineages: LSV1, LSV2, and LSV3. The LSV3 lineage was confirmed for the first time in Slovenia in 2010, and the same strain was later detected in several locations within the country. The LSV strains detected in bumble bees are from 98.6 to 99.4% identical to LSV strains detected among honey bees in the same territory.

scholarly journals Longevity extension of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) by royal jelly: optimal dose and active ingredient

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenchao Yang ◽  
Yuanyuan Tian ◽  
Mingfeng Han ◽  
Xiaoqing Miao
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Ammonium Sulfate ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Ethanol Extract ◽  
Optimal Dose ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Main Component ◽  
Colony Productivity

In the Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, queens and workers have different longevity although they share the same genome. Queens consume royal jelly (RJ) as the main food throughout their life, including as adults, but workers only eat worker jelly when they are larvae less than 3 days old. In order to explore the effect of RJ and the components affecting longevity of worker honey bees, we first determined the optimal dose for prolonging longevity of workers as 4% RJ in 50% sucrose solution, and developed a method of obtaining long lived workers. We then compared the effects of longevity extension by RJ 4% with bee-collected pollen from rapeseed (Brassica napus). Lastly, we determined that a water soluble RJ protein obtained by precipitation with 60% ammonium sulfate (RJP60) contained the main component for longevity extension after comparing the effects of RJ crude protein extract (RJCP), RJP30 (obtained by precipitation with 30% ammonium sulfate), and RJ ethanol extract (RJEE). Understanding what regulates worker longevity has potential to help increase colony productivity and improve crop pollination efficiency.

Development of an Ethanol Model Using Social Insects: IV. Influence of Ethanol on the Aggression of Africanized Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera L.)

2004 ◽  
Vol 94 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1107-1115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles I. Abramson ◽  
Aaron J. Place ◽  
Italo S. Aquino ◽  
Andrea Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Social Insects ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Ethanol Consumption ◽  
Ethanol Solution ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Africanized Honey Bees ◽  
Unique Aspect

Experiments were designed to determine whether ethanol influenced aggression in honey bees. Two experiments are reported. In Exp. 1, harnessed honey bees were fed a 1%, 5%, 10%, or 20% ethanol solution. Two control groups received either a sucrose solution only or no pretreatment, respectively. The dependent variable was the number of sting extensions over 10 min. Analysis showed that aggression in harnessed bees was not influenced by prior ethanol consumption. Because there was some suspicion that the extension of the sting apparatus may be hindered by harnessing, and the authors wanted to use a design that increased ecological validity, Exp. 2 was conducted with free-flying bees. Sucrose or 20% ethanol solutions were placed in front of beehives, and the number of stings on a leather patch dangled in front of the hive served as the dependent variable. The experiment was terminated after 5 hr. because bees exposed to ethanol became dangerously aggressive. A unique aspect of the study was that Africanized honey bees were used.

scholarly journals First molecular detection of Apis mellifera filamentous virus in honey bees (Apis mellifera) in Hungary

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitta Zana ◽  
Lili Geiger ◽  
Anett Kepner ◽  
Fanni Földes ◽  
Péter Urbán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Sequence Data ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Winter Mortality ◽  
Pcr Screening ◽  
Economic Role ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
First Time

Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators in the ecosystem and also play a crucial economic role in the honey industry. During the last decades, a continuous decay was registered in honey bee populations worldwide, including Hungary. In our study, we used metagenomic approaches and conventional PCR screening on healthy and winter mortality affected colonies from multiple sites in Hungary. The major goal was to discover presumed bee pathogens with viral metagenomic experiments and gain prevalence and distribution data by targeted PCR screening. We examined 664 honey bee samples that had been collected during winter mortality from three seemingly healthy colonies and from one colony infested heavily by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in 2016 and 2017. The subsequent PCR screening of honey bee samples revealed the abundant presence of Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV) for the first time in Central Europe. Based on phylogeny reconstruction, the newly-detected virus was found to be most closely related to a Chinese AmFV strain. More sequence data from multiple countries would be needed for studying the detailed phylogeographical patterns and worldwide spreading process of AmFV. Here we report the prevalent presence of this virus in Hungarian honey bee colonies.

scholarly journals The effect of different concentrations of oxalic acid in aqueous and sucrose solution onVarroamites and honey bees

Apidologie ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 643-653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalle Toomemaa ◽  
Ants-Johannes Martin ◽  
Ingrid H. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Oxalic Acid ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Sucrose Solution

scholarly journals Novel Insight Into the Development and Function of Hypopharyngeal Glands in Honey Bees

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saboor Ahmad ◽  
Shahmshad Ahmed Khan ◽  
Khalid Ali Khan ◽  
Jianke Li
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Hypopharyngeal Glands ◽  
And Function ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Made In

Hypopharyngeal glands (HGs) are the most important organ of hymenopterans which play critical roles for the insect physiology. In honey bees, HGs are paired structures located bilaterally in the head, in front of the brain between compound eyes. Each gland is composed of thousands of secretory units connecting to secretory duct in worker bees. To better understand the recent progress made in understanding the structure and function of these glands, we here review the ontogeny of HGs, and the factors affecting the morphology, physiology, and molecular basis of the functionality of the glands. We also review the morphogenesis of HGs in the pupal and adult stages, and the secretory role of the glands across the ages for the first time. Furthermore, recent transcriptome, proteome, and phosphoproteome analyses have elucidated the potential mechanisms driving the HGs development and functionality. This adds a comprehensive novel knowledge of the development and physiology of HGs in honey bees over time, which may be helpful for future research investigations.

scholarly journals Classification and Prediction of Bee Honey Indirect Adulteration Using Physiochemical Properties Coupled with K-Means Clustering and Simulated Annealing-Artificial Neural Networks (SA-ANNs)

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Majdi Al-Mahasneh ◽  
Muhammad Al-U’datt ◽  
Taha Rababah ◽  
Mohamad Al-Widyan ◽  
Aseel Abu Kaeed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Artificial Neural Networks ◽  
Simulated Annealing ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Sucrose Solution ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Glucose Content ◽  
Physiochemical Properties ◽  
Sugar Profile ◽  
Artificial Neural

The higher demand and limited availability of honey led to different forms of honey adulteration. Honey adulteration is either direct by addition of various syrups to natural honey or indirect by feeding honey bees with sugar syrups. Therefore, a need has emerged for reliable and cost-effective quality control methods to detect honey adulteration in order to ensure both safety and quality of honey. In this study, honey is adulterated by feeding honey bees with various proportions of sucrose syrup (0 to 100%). Various physiochemical properties of the adulterated honey are studied including sugar profile, pH, acidity, moisture, and color. The results showed that increasing sucrose syrup in the feed resulted in a decrease in glucose and fructose contents significantly, from 33.4 to 29.1% and 45.2 to 35.9%, respectively. Sucrose content, however, increased significantly from 0.19 to 1.8%. The pH value increased significantly from 3.04 to 4.63 with increase in sucrose feed. Acidity decreased slightly but nonsignificantly with increase in sucrose feed and varied between 7.0 and 4.00 meq/kg for 0% and 100% sucrose, respectively. Honey’s lightness (L value) also increased significantly from 59.3 to 68.84 as sucrose feed increased. Other color parameters were not significantly changed by sucrose feed. K-means clustering is used to classify the level of honey adulteration by using the above physiological properties. The classification results showed that both glucose content and total sugar content provided 100% accurate classification while pH values provided the worst results with 52% classification accuracy. To further predict the percent honey adulteration, simulated annealing coupled with artificial neural networks (SA-ANNs) was used with sugar profile as an input. RBF-ANN was found to provide the best prediction results with SSE = 0.073, RE = 0.021, and overall R2 = 0.992. It is concluded that honey sugar profile can provide an accurate and reliable tool for detecting indirect honey adulteration by sucrose solution.

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