Research Keyword: olfactory learning

The ant’s weapon improves honey bee learning performance

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Formic acid, a natural chemical used by ants for defense, is commonly used by beekeepers to kill harmful Varroa mites that damage honey bee colonies. Researchers found that treating bee colonies with formic acid unexpectedly improved the bees’ ability to learn and remember new scents, even though it didn’t change their preference for sugar solutions. This beneficial side effect might help bee colonies recover faster after treatment by improving their foraging abilities.

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Current Insights into Sublethal Effects of Pesticides on Insects

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This comprehensive review examines how pesticides harm insects at doses that don’t immediately kill them. Sublethal pesticide exposure weakens insects’ immune systems, disrupts reproduction and development, and impairs critical behaviors like navigation, feeding, and learning. The research shows these effects vary by insect species, age, and exposure type, and that pesticide combinations can be far more harmful than individual chemicals alone.

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A dopamine-gated learning circuit underpins reproductive state-dependent odor preference in Drosophila females

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Female fruit flies change their food preferences after mating, becoming attracted to nutrients important for egg production. This study reveals that during mating, pheromone detection triggers dopamine-driven changes in the fly’s brain learning center. These neural changes essentially ‘remember’ mating experience and reprogram the female’s sense of smell, even though the sensory neurons return to normal within hours. This demonstrates how an animal can learn from mating experience to make better nutritional choices as a mother.

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