Mushroom body extrinsic neurons in the honeybee brain encode cues and contexts differently

Free-flying honeybees (Apis mellifera carnica) are known to learn the context to solve discrimination tasks. Here we apply classical conditioning of the proboscis extension response in restrained bees in combination with single-unit extracellular recordings from mushroom body (MB) extrinsic neurons elucidating the neural correlates of context-dependent olfactory discrimination. The contexts were light, colors, and temperatures, either alone or in combination. We found that bees learn context rules quickly and use them for better discrimination. They also solved a transwitching and a cue/context reversal task. Neurons extrinsic to the α lobe of the MB reduced the responses to the rewarded odor, whereas they increased their responses to the context. These results indicate that MB extrinsic neurons encode cues and contexts differently. Data are discussed with reference to MB function.