HONEY-BEE (HYMENOPTERA, APIDAE) FORAGING RESPONSES TO PHENOLIC-RICH NECTARS

We determined honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) responses to five phenolic -rich aqueous solutions presented in an artificial flower feeder. Low concentrations of caffeic acid and genistic acid in 30% sucrose were p referred over a sucrose control. High concentrations of the acids inhi bited imbibition. Phenolic-rich solutions made from aloe (Aloe littora lis) nectar, almond (Prunus dulcis) honey, or salt cedar (Tamarix pent randra) honey deterred collection. Our results suggest that phenolics may affect honey bee imbibition behavior by functioning as a strong re pellent or deterrent.