NEPOTISM among bees is governed by a brain chemical that helps them
distinguish intruders from fellow hive members.
Gene Robinson of the University of Illinois in Urbana and his colleagues
injected the brains of bees with a chemical that mimics the effects of a
neurotransmitter called octopamine (Nature, vol 399, p 534).
Bees with boosted levels of the chemical were more aggressive towards bees
from other hives, but more friendly towards their own nest mates. Octopamine may
enhance the bees鈥� sense of smell, the researchers suggest.
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