Synthetic bee pollen foraging pheromone and uses thereof
US6595828B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01K51/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.