The role of pheromones in honey bees is not well understood but it has been studied extensively

> Hoarding experiments were conducted with honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) in cages containing comb treated with either 2-heptanone, isopentylacetate, citral, or geraniol. 2-Heptanone increased hoarding rates; isopentyl acetate decreased hoarding rates; citral and geraniol had no observed effect. -- SOCIOCHEMICAL ALTERATION OF HONEYBEE HOARDING BEHAVIOR, THOMAS E. RINDERER

> The fact that the production of 2-heptanone is maximal in mandibular glands of foragers and not of guards suggests a functional role in a foraging context. As honeybee foragers mark recently visited and depleted flowers with a deterrent and highly volatile scent, they may use 2-heptanone to this end. --- Different functions of two alarm substances in the honeybee, N. Balderrama

> Volatiles serve key roles as pheromone cues in defense, alarm, orientation, hygiene, foraging, and brood-rearing decisions. Volatiles could potentially also serve as chemical markers of stress such as poor nutrition, disease, and colony disturbance. The volatiles 2-heptanone, 3-carene, methyl benzoate, and decanal are known to either be emitted by adult worker bees or present in materials manipulated by worker bees. -- Collection of volatiles from honeybee larvae and adults enclosed on brood frames, Mark J. CARROLL, Adrian J. DUEHL

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