Biologists at Ruhr University Bochum in Germany have discovered an interesting behavior in male orchid bees: they collect flower scent molecules in a special sac on their hind legs. So they create their own perfumes to attract women. The results of the research have been published magazine current biology
Scientists have long known that these bees collect scent during the mating season, but for what – it was not known. Some have suggested that it may be an attractant (a scent that attracts women) or a substance for communicating with competitors.
Scientists conducted an experiment in their work: they raised a small colony of bees. Some of the men had their own flavor, some didn’t. They then watched if the female mated and, if so, with which male.
Males—scented or not—showed typical courtship behavior. Mating took place with 27 females each mating with only one male. Only once did a female mate with an odorless male. However, scientists believe that this person also acquired a mixture of aromas – he could steal them from other men.
“To conclusively prove this, we did paternity testing. We compared the genetic makeup of the brood to that of drones. It turned out that the smell is attractive to females and triggers mating behavior in them. The aroma does not affect the males in any way,” the scientists said.