Honey Bee Foraging Decisions Influenced by Pear Volatiles

The interactions between plants and pollinators are complex. Flower volatiles as special olfactory cues could influence the foraging choices of pollinators. Here, we conducted bioassays to evaluate role flower on attraction honey bees (native Apis cerana exotic mellifera) pears Pyrus bretschneideri communis). Chemical electrophysiological approaches were used determine antennal responses from pear flowers. Bioassays demonstrated that crucial for flowers; preferred forage P. communis flowers (p > 0.05), with approximately 64.37 ± 0.02% (A. 62.10 cerana) communis. Flowers yielded 27 31 compounds, respectively, 17 them being common. Honey bee antennae responded 16 chemicals, including 5 contained in both species: 1-nonanol, linalool, methyl 2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoate, L-isoleucinate, α-farnesene. In addition, there 8 electrophysiologically active compounds bretschneideri: L-valine ester, benzaldehyde, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, isophorone, 2-methyl octane, longicyclene, longifolene, caryophyllene; 3 communis: β-ocimene, 4-oxoisophorone lilac alcohol D. conclusion, our study significant impact choices. This knowledge provides a basis selection pollination lays foundation further chemical communication attractiveness bees.