Influence de la méthode de mise en contact d'ouvrières sur l'agressivité chez l'abeille domestique, Apis mellifera L

Abstract - Influence of worker introduction method on aggressiveness in the honeybee Apis mellifera L
Honeybee defensive behaviour has been studied extensively over the years, particularly in kin recognition studies. The purpose of this study was to measure the possible effects of introduction methods on defensive behaviour of host bees. Single bees from the same or from a different but related colony were introduced into groups of 75 worker bees kept in cages either by means of a forceps or by using a manual piston and a tunnel. Bee behaviour in the cage was recorded according to 5 classes (1 = quiet to 5= very aggressive). The use of a forceps led to a significant increase in aggressive behaviour compared to that of the tunnel (table I).