Abstract
An experimental comparison of sting extracts of all four species was carried out in Oberursel in flight rooms as well as in the natural habitat of Asiatic bees in Sri Lanka. The following results were obtained. o 1. The behavioural response to sting extracts showed only slight differences among the four species, but the duration of the reaction to the extract was different. In Apis mellifera and Apis cerana it lasted ca. 3 min and in Apis florea and Apis dorsata 6–15 min. 2. Interspecific tests led to the conclusion that Apis florea and Apis dorsata must have an additional pheromone besides isopentyl acetate (ipa). 3. Using gas chromatographic analysis, 2-decen-1-yl-acetate (2da) was found in sting extracts of Apis florea and Apis dorsata. 4. 2da had a specific effect in Apis florea and Apis dorsata only. It extended the duration of the alarm reaction compared to the reaction on pure ipa. A mixture of ipa and 2da had a similar effect on the behaviour and reaction time, as did sting extracts.
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