Social learning in the thermoregulatory fanning behavior in honeybees (Apis mellifera l.)

Social insects are among the most successful organisms due to their amazing capability to self-organize. These insects utilize their self-organized systems to allocate information from many independent effectors to contribute to a group response to environmental perturbation. However, our understanding of the factors that influence both individual and group behavior in these self-organized systems is limited. To explore these factors, we use the eusocial European honeybee (Apis mellifera l.) as a model system. Honeybee colonies utilize their socially self-organized system to effectively thermoregulate their hive by fanning when temperatures are excessively high. If the colony does not properly thermoregulate their hive, developing bees inside can perish. Our recent work shows that honeybees are more likely to fan in the presence of other bees. We have observed that fanning behavior seems to be synchronous, however the exact mechanism governing group dynamics is unknown. I question if experience influences social cohesion of fanning behavior. Previous studies suggest bumblebee thermoregulatory behavior is influenced by experience, however there are no published studies on influential experience in honeybee thermoregulatory behavior. Here, I explore how repeated temperature increases and fanning bouts affect fanning behavior of individuals within groups. I then explore this in the experience of workers in the hive. This study will not only contribute to further understanding of social thermoregulatory fanning behavior thresholds in honeybees, but also will expand our knowledge of individual and group behavioral factors that maintain homeostasis.

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