Abstract
Ecological volatiles play important roles in plant reproduction and insect foraging. In particular, chemoecological interactions between flowers and eusocial bees form the coevolutionary basis of improved fitness for both plants and bees. It is well known that eusocial bees evaluate flowers offering good rewards by using floral scents as olfactory cues. Although flowers emit various volatiles to attract bees, we do not know their ecological function. This paper describes some research on the functional meaning of ecological volatiles in eusocial bees (Apis and Bombus spp.), hornets (Vespa spp.), and plants. Volatiles emitted by many plant species contain pheromonal components of potential pollinators. Plants emit two types of volatiles: 1. A component (same and/or similar to pheromonal component) that is innately attractive to even naive bees; and 2. Species-specific floral scents that cause learned association with rewards, such as nectar and pollen. The interaction is mutually beneficial to both plants and pollinators. Practical use of an ecological volatile to improve crop pollination by honeybees is introduced.
