Collection of volatiles from honeybee larvae and adults enclosed on brood frames

Abstract

Abstract We describe a system for the in situ collection of volatiles from bees enclosed on a standard Langstroth frame face. The system includes an observation frame consisting of a glass plate and an aluminum frame that encloses a single frame face. A push–pull airflow system and an in-line volatile collection filter allow for air exchange and headspace volatile capture. This system can provide insight into colony chemical communication. The emissions of four compounds (2-heptanone, methyl benzoate, decanal, and 3-carene) associated with adult bees or colony materials remained steady or increased slightly in repeated collections from frames with maturing larvae. The emissions of the larval food component octanoic acid reflected changes in food consumption patterns by differently aged larvae. The production of the primer pheromone E-β-ocimene was greatest in comb containing young larvae and recently capped brood, but was lower on comb with capping larvae.