Nassonow gland

The Nassonow gland is a specialized gland found in certain types of bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, and stingless bees. This gland opens on the dorsal side of the abdomen and produces a specific scent.1

This scent serves as a crucial communication tool for bees. It is used to mark the entrance to their hive, helping returning bees easily locate their home. Additionally, bees utilize the scent to mark food sources discovered away from the hive, guiding other colony members to these locations. The sense of smell, facilitated by glands like the Nassonow, is highly developed in Hymenoptera, playing a vital role in species and colony recognition, mate finding, and coordinated group activities.12