Skip to main content
. 2015 Oct 7;70(7):1019–1031. doi: 10.1007/s00265-015-2019-5

Table 1.

List of behavioural tasks observed (see Kolmes (1984) for a more detailed description of each task)

Task Code Description
Into empty/egg cell HEC Enters a cell that is either empty or contains an egg
Inspect/feed larva Hlarv Inserts its head into a cell containing a larva
Into honey cell HN Inserts its head into or enters a cell containing honey
Into pollen cell HP Inserts its head into or enters a cell containing stored pollen
Building comb BC Manipulates wax in areas where cells are in construction using mouthparts
Attend dance AD Follows a dancing worker
Dance PD Dances with or without pollen
Walk with pollen CP Has pollen in her pollen baskets
Mouth wax-brood TB Trims/smooths wax cappings on brood cells or sealed brood
Mouth wax-honey/pollen TH Trims/smooths wax cappings on cells containing honey/pollen or capping them
Attend queen AQ Is a member of the queen retinue
Antennal contact with worker ANT Is in mutual contact with another worker
Fan wings FAN Produces an air current with her wings
Feeding worker FW The proboscis is extended between another bee’s mandibles
Being fed GF The proboscis of another worker is extended between the mandibles of the worker
Being groomed GG Stands and is cleaned by another worker
Grooming self GS Grooms a part of its own body
Grooming worker GW Grooms another worker bee
Lateral shake CD Rapidly shakes its body from side to side (cleaning dance)
Chew on hive CH Uses its mandibles to chew on the inside of the hive (e.g. wooden frames, etc.)
Standing ST Stands motionless (lack of activity)
Walk WALK Walks inside the hive