Abstract
Dual choice feeding tests were performed to determine a preference of forager honeybees for specific amino acids. Artificial nectar containing proline was preferred over those containing only sugars. Nectar containing alanine was preferred on the first day, but preference was no longer significant thereafter. On the contrary, a negative response was found for serine. When the bees were given the choice between two nectars enriched with different compounds, proline was preferred above both alanine and serine, and alanine above serine.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a grant from the Italian Ministero dell’Istruzione, dell’Università e della Ricerca within the frame of the project PRIN2008 Proline content in floral nectar: to bee or not to bee. M. Bertazzini gratefully acknowledges an applied research fellowship from Spinner Global Grant, Emilia Romagna Region.
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Bertazzini, M., Medrzycki, P., Bortolotti, L. et al. Amino acid content and nectar choice by forager honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). Amino Acids 39, 315–318 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-010-0474-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-010-0474-x