ABS 093: Stimulant and Honeybee Cognition: A Comparative Analysis of Olfactory Learning in Apis mellifera

Shrinath Parikh ¹ , Christina M. Ragan ¹

¹ Georgia Institute of Technology, GA, USA

Van Wickle (2025) Volume 1, ABS 093

Introduction: Olfactory learning is one of the most important learnings in honeybees when exploring new environments as it enables foraging behavior and allows honeybees to associate scents with rewards along. While the pathways underlying associated learning in bees are widely studied, the effect of nectar constituents on honeybee cognition is less understood. Recent studies have shown that the components of nectar in certain plants do have an effect on bee behavior, but the exact effect has not been extensively studied. The purpose of this comparison analysis is to consolidate findings from studies on olfactory learning in Apis mellifera, specifically the effects of caffeine, octopamine, and nicotine on cognition and learning.

These three stimulants are known to have increased effects on certain behaviors such as memory consolidation and can naturally be found in plants preferred by pollinators. Caffeine has been shown to enhance memory retention when given along with certain floral scents. Octopamine may facilitate learning by increasing sensitivity in older honeybees compared to newly hatched honeybees. Nicotine can also alter learning and memory, but it is similar to caffeine as it is dose-dependent. Though these stimulants have such findings, the inconsistencies in experimental design, dosage, and intervention methods make comparisons between studies challenging. This comparative analysis brings light to the varying interventions in different stimulants that can alter honeybee cognition and behavior.

Understanding these interactions is important as it provides information on interactions between pollinators and their environment along with providing insights into how stimulants affect learning across species. These stimulants are also present in substances commonly used by humans, so their effects on honeybee cognition may be applicable to a larger audience for the study of learning and memory.