Introduction
Bees exhibit a variety of sophisticated defensive behaviors to protect their hives from intruders. These behaviors are crucial for the survival of the colony, as they safeguard valuable resources such as food stores, brood, and the queen. The defensive strategies employed by bees can vary significantly depending on the species and the nature of the threat.
Key Insights
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Guard Bees and Alarm Pheromones:
- Guard bees are specialized workers that defend the hive by releasing alarm pheromones to recruit other bees for defense against large predators . These pheromones trigger both immediate and long-term changes in the behavior of nearby bees, priming them for defense.
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Physical Confrontation and Recognition:
- Guard bees use scent to recognize members of their own colony and distinguish them from intruders. They intercept and inspect other bees at the hive entrance, and intruders are either accepted or attacked based on their behavior and scent. Guard bees are not present unless the colony has been alerted by the presence of intruders.
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Hovering Guards:
- The stingless bee Tetragonisca angustula employs hovering guards in addition to standing guards at the nest entrance. Hovering guards increase the detection perimeter for flying intruders, especially obligate robber bees . This dual guarding strategy enhances the colony's ability to detect and respond to threats .
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Adaptive Defense Mechanisms:
- Bees exhibit adaptive defense strategies such as nest entrance closure and complex nest architecture to protect against intruders. For example, Tetragonula iridipennis bees close their nest entrance and allocate tasks to repair and defend the hive after colony division. Cyprian honeybees use different tactics, such as attacking or retreating, depending on the colony's defensive strategy.
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Tool Use in Defense:
- Apis cerana workers use animal feces as a tool to defend their colonies against giant hornet attacks. Fecal spotting around the nest entrance deters hornets and reduces the likelihood of them breaching the nest. This is the first documented case of tool use by honey bees for defense.
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Genetic and Neurophysiological Factors:
- Defensive behavior in honey bees is influenced by genetic factors, with paternally inherited genes having a greater impact on colony stinging response. Alarm pheromones like isoamyl acetate prime bees for a 'fight or flight' response, possibly through neuropeptides and biogenic amines.
Conclusion
Bees employ a range of sophisticated defensive strategies to protect their hives from intruders. These include the use of guard bees and alarm pheromones, physical confrontation and recognition, hovering guards, adaptive defense mechanisms, and even tool use. Genetic and neurophysiological factors also play a significant role in shaping these behaviors. Together, these strategies ensure the survival and security of the bee colony against various threats.