Figure 1. Schematic schedule of the experimental series along the adult lifespan of the honeybee.

(a) Caged bees were offered a scented sugar solution for four consecutive days (gray boxes), and their olfactory memories at 17 days of age were evaluated in the PER paradigm (black arrow). (b) In addition to the scented solution received in a), bees were offered an alternative scented food for four consecutive days (1–4 or 5–8 days old, dark gray boxes). Then, bees were stimulated at: 1–4 + 5–8, 1–4 + 9–12 and 5–8 + 9–12 days of age. (c) An odor was exposed as volatile compound for four consecutive days (crossed boxes) before caged bees were offered the scented sugar solution (gray boxes). Odor exposure memory was not tested. (d) Caged bees were exposed to a pure odor for four consecutive days (crossed boxes) before conditioning (gray arrow). Notice that a non-odor exposed group was also included.