Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
8-2026
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Melissa Whitaker
Committee Members
David Zollinger, Darrell Moore, Thomas Jones
Abstract
Foraging bumble bees must constantly make decisions about where and when to feed while balancing the nutritional rewards of flowers against the risk of predation. Floral nectar is not simply a source of carbohydrates; it frequently contains secondary metabolites such as caffeine and nicotine that can influence pollinator cognition and behavior. Although these compounds have been shown to affect reward-based learning and memory, little is known about their effects on aversive learning. This study investigated whether nectar-relevant concentrations of caffeine and nicotine influence the acquisition and retention of predator-associated memories in the common eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens.
Document Type
Thesis - embargo
Recommended Citation
Foley, Joshua M., "Bumble Bee Foraging Decisions in the Context of Apparent Predation and Cognitive Enhancing Floral Alkaloids" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4753. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4753
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
