University of California

The Texas A&m University System

Oms Investments, Inc.

Contech Enterprises Inc.

Tanya Pankiw

Norman Avelino

Jean Pierre Lafontaine

Bradley N Metz

Robert E Page, Jr

This invention relates to a 10-component stabilized synthetic honey bee brood pheromone and methods of stabilizing said pheromone by adding one or more antioxidants, thereby enabling the production and sustained use of commercial products based on that pheromone. The 11-component stabilized pheromone composition formed by adding the antioxidant tertiary-butyl hydroquinone to a synthetic blend of ethyl linoleate, ethyl linolenate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl stearate, methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, methyl oleate, methyl palmitate and methyl stearate can be used in generic or race-specific ratios to manipulate the behavior and improve the performance of worker honey bees, resulting in overall increased vigor of the hive.

Stabilized synthetic brood pheromone and race-specific ratios of components for manipulating the behavior and physiology of honey bees

This invention relates to a stabilized honey bee pheromone and methods of stabilizing the honey bee brood pheromone, thereby enabling the production and sustained use of commercial products based on that pheromone. The stabilized pheromone can be used to manipulate the behavior and improve the performance of worker honey bees, resulting in overall increased vigor of the hive. The pheromone composition comprises two or more of ethyl linoleate, ethyl linolenate, ethyl oleate, ethyl palmitate, ethyl stearate, methyl linoleate, methyl linolenate, methyl oleate, methyl palmitate and methyl stearate and an antioxidant.

Stabilized brood pheromone for manipulating the behavior and physiology of honey bees

A method for increasing pollen foraging activity in colonies of bees by application of a synthetic brood pheromone to the colony. The synthetic brood pheromone may comprise methyl palmitate, ethyl palmitate, methyl stearate, ethyl stearate, methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, methyl linoleate, ethyl linoleate, methyl linolenate and ethyl linolenate; or an active mixture comprising one or more of the enumerated esters. Exposure of bees to the synthetic brood pheromone increases the proportion of pollen foragers in the colony. The invention also provides a pollination unit comprising a collection of bees and the synthetic brood pheromone, and a device capable of releasing the brood pheromone in a controlled fashion within the colony.

Synthetic bee pollen foraging pheromone and uses thereof

Growing community of inventors

College Station, TX, United States of America

Tanya Pankiw