Honeybee queens produce a chemical cocktail that politicians would swarm to get their hands on: the scent of a queen keeps her drones and workers loyal to the throne, dutifully feeding and grooming their ruler.
Now it seems that this chemical perfume also prevents worker bees from developing aversions. This means that undergoing a negative experience around a queen won't lead a worker bee to learn to hate her.
— From a fascinating article in Nature about a study conducted by entomologist Alison Mercer of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.
it *is* a fascinating article. I am puzzled by how they managed to strap down the bees to perform the tests, though. Poor little bees!
Oh, didn't think about that and not sure I want to!
That is a fascinating story. Lucky bees. I wish somebody could put this scent in a bottle! It would keep people around you happy, what a lovely thought. How about making this a mandatory issue for husbands and wives on their wedding day – and nothing but bliss ever after.
LOL — I'll take a bottle. I could use a little more cooperation in my house.