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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Tactile Conditioning And Movement Analysis Of Antennal Sampling Strategies In Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.)
10:14

Tactile Conditioning And Movement Analysis Of Antennal Sampling Strategies In Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Published on: December 12, 2012

Side-specific reward memories in honeybees.

Mariana Gil1, Randolf Menzel, Rodrigo J De Marco

  • 1Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Pharmacy, Institute of Biology and Neurobiology, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany. mgdm04@yahoo.com.ar

Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.)
|June 26, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Honeybees exhibit novel side-specific learning, showing faster proboscis extension responses (PER) after antennae associated with increasing sucrose rewards. This learning depends on mechanosensory input and reward magnitude changes, revealing side-specific reward memories.

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Animal Behavior
  • Learning and Memory

Background:

  • Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are crucial pollinators and model organisms for studying learning and memory.
  • Previous research has established associative learning in honeybees, but side-specific learning mechanisms remain underexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate a novel form of side-specific learning in honeybees.
  • To elucidate the role of reward magnitude and mechanosensory input in forming side-specific reward memories.

Main Methods:

  • Individual honeybee training using paired gustatory (sucrose) and mechanosensory (antennal stimulation) cues.
  • Measuring proboscis extension response (PER) reaction times after unilateral antennal stimulation at various time points (1, 2, 3, 24 hours).
  • Manipulating antennal stimulation to assess its necessity and sufficiency in revealing side differences.

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Behavioural Pharmacology in Classical Conditioning of the Proboscis Extension Response in Honeybees (Apis mellifera)
10:36

Behavioural Pharmacology in Classical Conditioning of the Proboscis Extension Response in Honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Published on: January 24, 2011

Simultaneous Long-term Recordings at Two Neuronal Processing Stages in Behaving Honeybees
13:55

Simultaneous Long-term Recordings at Two Neuronal Processing Stages in Behaving Honeybees

Published on: July 21, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Tactile Conditioning And Movement Analysis Of Antennal Sampling Strategies In Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.)
10:14

Tactile Conditioning And Movement Analysis Of Antennal Sampling Strategies In Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Published on: December 12, 2012

Behavioural Pharmacology in Classical Conditioning of the Proboscis Extension Response in Honeybees (Apis mellifera)
10:36

Behavioural Pharmacology in Classical Conditioning of the Proboscis Extension Response in Honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Published on: January 24, 2011

Simultaneous Long-term Recordings at Two Neuronal Processing Stages in Behaving Honeybees
13:55

Simultaneous Long-term Recordings at Two Neuronal Processing Stages in Behaving Honeybees

Published on: July 21, 2014

Main Results:

  • Bees demonstrated faster PER to antennae previously associated with increasing sucrose volumes compared to decreasing volumes.
  • Short- and long-term side differences in PER reaction time were observed, correlating with M17 muscle activity.
  • Mechanosensory input was essential and sufficient for these side differences, which were specific to the gustatory experience.

Conclusions:

  • Honeybees form side-specific reward memories influenced by reward magnitude changes and mechanosensory cues.
  • The findings reveal a new dimension of associative learning in insects, with implications for understanding memory formation.
  • The developed learning procedure offers a robust platform for future neurobiological studies on reward memory in honeybees.