Discovery of octopamine and tyramine in nectar and their effects on bumblebee behavior
Felicity Muth, Casey S. Philbin, Christopher S. Jeffrey, Anne S. Leonard
Abstract
). We found that octopamine and tyramine interacted with caffeine to alter key aspects of bee behavior relevant to plant fitness (sucrose responsiveness, long-term memory, and floral preferences). These results provide evidence for a means by which synergistic or antagonistic nectar chemistry might influence pollinators.
Topics & Concepts
NectarOctopamine (neurotransmitter)BumblebeePollinatorTyramineBiologyForagingInsectPollinationEcologyPollenBiochemistryReceptorSerotoninPlant and animal studiesInsect and Pesticide ResearchInsect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior