Grooming behaviors and the translocation of queen mandibular gland pheromone on worker honey bees (Apis mellifera L)

Abstract - Self-grooming resulted in the translocation of synthetic queen mandibular gland pheromone from the mouthparts and head to the abdomen of honey bee workers. The several observed grooming behaviors do not appear to function solely for pheromone translocation. Little if any, pheromone moved passively on the cuticle. This study provides evidence for an active mechanism of pheromone movement on individual social insects, and suggests that these behaviors play a significant role in the queen's communication with her workers.