Glossary
A chemical blend of citral, geraniol, nerolic acid, and geranic acid released by worker bees from the Nasonov gland at the tip of the abdomen. Workers expose this gland and fan their wings to disperse the scent as a homing signal to guide disoriented nestmates, recruit foragers, and orient swarms.
When you see bees standing at the hive entrance with their abdomens raised and wings fanning vigorously, they are releasing Nasonov pheromone: a blend of aromatic compounds (primarily citral and geraniol) that acts as a chemical GPS beacon for other bees. The fanning disperses these volatile compounds into the air, creating a scent trail that guides lost, disoriented, or newly arriving bees to the hive entrance.
Nasonov exposure increases during several situations: after hive disturbance (inspections, moving hives) when many bees are displaced and need to reorient; during orientation flights of young bees who are learning the hive's location; during robbing events when guard bees call reinforcements; and critically, during swarming. When a swarm lands at a new location, workers at the cluster's surface expose their Nasonov glands and fan vigorously, guiding airborne bees to the cluster's exact position.
The Nasonov pheromone composition has been fully identified: citral (geranial + neral), geraniol, nerolic acid, geranic acid, and several minor components. Because the chemistry is known, synthetic Nasonov lure can be produced and is commercially available as swarm lure. Applied inside swarm traps, synthetic Nasonov pheromone significantly increases the probability of catching free-flying swarms, essentially advertising "bees live here" to passing scout bees.
Bees fan at the entrance for two reasons: ventilation (moving air through the hive for temperature and humidity control) and Nasonov pheromone dispersal (guiding other bees home). Nasonov fanning is distinguished by the raised abdomen position, with the tip exposed to release the pheromone gland.
Yes. Commercial swarm lure containing synthetic Nasonov pheromone components (citral, geraniol) is widely available from beekeeping supply companies. Applied inside swarm traps, it attracts scout bees and significantly improves the chances of catching passing swarms.
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