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Attraction of reproductive honey bee swarms to artificial nests by Nasonov pheromone

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Abstract

A crossover experimental design was established to test the attractancy of Nasonov pheromone to reproductive swarms of honey bees. Nineteen swarms were attracted to artificial nest cavities containing a slow-release blend of the Nasonov components citral, geraniol, and nerolic + geranic acids, and only four swarms were attracted to pheromone-free artificial nests. The results indicate that Nasonov pheromone plays a key role in the attraction of honey bee swarms to nest cavities.

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Schmidt, J.O. Attraction of reproductive honey bee swarms to artificial nests by Nasonov pheromone. J Chem Ecol 20, 1053–1056 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02059741

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02059741

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