PHEROMONES OF SOCIAL BEES

The behaviour of these bees has been adapted to some extent to meet beekeeping requirements but few advances have been made in altering their behaviour so that honey and wax production is increased. Bee pheromone research aims to identify the pheromones and make analogous synthetic chemicals thus allowing the control of the colony's activities and enhancing honey production. This book evaluates the present state of knowledge of each known pheromone, discusses the pheromones of the stingless bees and describes the effect of pheromones on the social organization and mating behaviour of bumblebees. Suggestions are made for further and different types of research into pheromones. The book should be of interest to zoologists, entomologists and general biologists.