Honeybees discriminate cuticular waxes based on esters and polar components

Quantitative chemical analyses of cuticular waxes of the honeybee Apis mell ifera with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry showed significant diff erences in the chemical composition of cuticular waxes from drones and work ers performing different tasks. We used the proboscis extension reflex to t est the ability of bees to discriminate between these cuticular waxes. Diff erentially conditioned bees significantly discriminated between cuticular w axes of drones, food storers, foragers and queen attenders. We found that t he esters and polar components in the cuticular waxes provide the discrimin ative cues for the insects.