> what observations support the hypothesis that smoke immobilizes bees


The present work shows that even without any manipulation of the colony the administration of smoke reduces foraging activity for a time, as well as having the desired effect of reducing the number of guard bees.

The present paper reports on: (1) the influence of smoke on the number of guards at the colony entrance; (2) the influence of smoke on the number of departing foragers; (3) the effect of smoke on the number of guards aroused by isopentyl acetate, an alarm substance (Boch, Shearer & Stone, 1962).

When entrances to honeybee colonies were smoked, the number of guards at the entrance was reduced for a period of 10 minutes or more. The number of departing foragers was similarly affected. Smoke reduced the number of guards that would otherwise have been recruited to the entrance by the alarm pheromone, isopentyl acetate.


DAVID C. NEWTON. BEHAVIOURAL RESPONSE OF HONEYBEES TO COLONY DISTURBANCE BY SMOKE. ll. GUARDS AND FORAGERS. Journal of Apicultural Research 8(2) : 79-82 (1969)

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