Victoria Blackham

• Bsc (Hons) Zoology
• Can honey bees taste minerals?

Taste perception was investigated using the proboscis extension reflex. To elicit the reflex, the solution containing one of the minerals was touched on the antenna; whether or not the bees responded to the solution by extending the proboscis was recorded. A second assay was used to assess taste sensitivity. I found that honey bees can taste the minerals in water solutions depending on the concentration. Some minerals appear to cause the bee to extend the proboscis and drink the solution; other minerals appear to cause the proboscis to retract when the solution came in to contact with the mouthparts.

Project Supervisor: Prof Geraldine Wright, Institute of Neuroscience

Funding source: Newcastle University