Observations on Alarm Substances in the Genus Apis

Abstract
SUMMARY The stings of worker bees in four species of Apis from North America, Europe and the Far East, all contain isopentyl acetate, but the amount obtained differs from species to species. Heptan-2-one, which also elicits alarm throughout the genus, was found only in A. mellifera. The alarm substances must be released within close proximity of the nests in order to evoke alarm behaviour.