Evaluation of the various components of the Nasonov pheromone used by clustering honeybees

ABSTRACT. Of the various components of the Nasonov pheromone, geraniol, (E)‐citral and nerolic acid were the most important for inducing clustering. The presence of (Z)‐citral with (E)‐citral, or in a mixture of components including (E)‐citral, did not diminish clustering and sometimes increased it. Geranic acid alone encouraged clustering, but was less effective with nerolic acid or the citrals. Nerol and (E, E)‐farnesol had little obvious influence on clustering. A 1:1:1 mixture of geraniol + nerolic acid + (E)‐ and (Z)‐citrals was as effective as a mixture of all the seven components in equal proportions, which was in turn as effective as a mixture containing the components in the proportions present naturally in the Nasonov gland.