Contribution
Content-dependent vibrational signalling coordinates initial social defence and early recruitment in honeybees
Liu, Yi Bo; Peng, Fei; Feng, Ying Ying; Li, Chang Long; He, Yu Zhu; Zhang, Li Zhen; Zeng, Zhi Jiang; He, Xu Jiang
publication en ligne: Mar 31, 2026
manuscrit accepté: Jan 2, 2026
révision final du manuscrit reçu: Jan 14, 2026
révision du manuscrit demandée: Sep 29, 2025
manuscrit reçu: Apr 16, 2025
Abstract
Collective defense is essential for social animals, relying on complex communication systems. Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are highly social insects equipped with an intricate and highly effective collective defense system, serving as a model for these studies. Here, we showed a “content-dependent” defensive behaviour, when faced with foreign objects, honeybees rapidly fanned their wings, turned their abdomens toward the threat, and emitted a shrill and stable vibrational pulse (central frequency: 461.394 ± 22.535 Hz) as a warning signal. They responded more intensely to larger objects, performing more runs and longer defensive displays. Sound playback experiments showed this sound signal recruited other bees, who subsequently replicated the behaviour, underscoring sophisticated communication in collective defense. Our findings revealed a fascinating “context-dependent” defensive behaviour in honeybees when responding to foreign objects, with their sound signals serving as an initial trigger for collective defense. This behaviour underscores the sophistication of honeybee communication system in collective defense.
Mots-clefs
Apis mellifera
•
collective defense •
sound signal •
social communication •
nestmate recruitment •
wing-generated vibrations •
early warning system •
social immunity