MODULATION OF HONEY-BEE THERMOREGULATION BY ADRENERGIC COMPOUNDS

THE effects of adrenergic compounds on the thermoregulation of resting honey bees were investigated using a non-traumatizing approach. Bees fed ad lib were treated orally and kept at an ambient temperature of 2 2 degrees C; the surface thoracic temperature was monitored by infrare d thermography. Bees were treated with the adrenergic agonists epineph rine and ephedrine, and with the beta-blocking agent alprenolol. Low d oses of adrenergic agonists had no significant effect on thermogenesis , but high doses caused a hypothermia. Alprenolol triggered a dose-dep endent hypothermia that was reversed by low doses of epinephrine and e phedrine. Results are discussed with reference to the metabolic and ne ural adrenergic pathways that may be involved in bee thermoregulation.