Meeting Abstract
P1-19 - Active Sensation in Honeybees: How Learning Affects Antenna Scanning Behavior in Apis mellifera Mahoney, SM*; Lawrence, HM; Valencia, AG; Lei, H; Smith, BH; Arizona State University; Arizona State University; Arizona State University; Arizona State University; Arizona State University stmahone@asu.edu
Active sensation is a process by which an animal uses its own movement to alter various aspects of sensory processing, such as a mammal sniffing upon encountering certain scent in the air or a bat navigating using echolocation. Insects are well known to use body movements in air plumes of scents, such as, for example, host odors or pheromones. It’s less clear how insects employ active sensor movements, in addition to body movement, to enhance detection of odors that are important for locating resources or avoiding threats. We set out to study the active sensing behavior expressed at the peripheral olfactory organ – the pair of antennae - in the honeybee, Apis mellifera. In a differential learning protocol using proboscis extension reflex as behavioral index, we trained the bees to associate one odor (CS+) with 1.5M sucrose reward and another odor (CS-) with 3.0M NaCl punishment, or with the absence of any reinforcement (CS0). Antennal movements were video recorded and analyzed in detail using a custom developed SwarmSight program and other Matlab programs. Our data indicate: First, when exposed to a novel odor, bees move their antennae to a position perpendicular to the airstream similar to a position the antennae are held in while flying. Second, when bees are tested with either a CS0 or CS- odor after training, they respond similarly to the novel odor. Third, when tested with the CS+ odor after training, bees move their antennae forward and rapidly move them back and forth. We also observed a “brushing” motion that bees do in response to a negative odor. Our data suggest that bees actively change antenna scanning behavior based on the perceived valence of an odor, which is generated during differential training. Further work will investigate how these movements alter perception of odor or detection of food associated with odor.