Primary Assay — Honeybee
Proboscis Extension Reflex (PER) Conditioning
Apis mellifera
The gold-standard invertebrate associative learning paradigm. Bees learn to extend their proboscis to a conditioned odor stimulus, enabling precise measurement of acquisition, retention, and extinction of olfactory memories.

Quantitative Output
Measured Parameters
Every parameter is automatically tracked frame-by-frame in the ConductVision pipeline for Apis mellifera.
| Parameter | Unit | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition rate | % per trial | Learning across CS-US pairings |
| Memory retention (1h/24h) | % responding | Short/long-term memory |
| Extinction rate | trials to criterion | Unlearning of CS-US association |
References
Citations for Proboscis Extension Reflex (PER) Conditioning
- Guo Y, et al. (2017). Proboscis Extension Reflex in Apis mellifera with Only One Antenna. Bio Protoc, 7(23), e2624. PMID: 34595292
- Giurfa M, et al. (2004). Associative mechanosensory conditioning of the proboscis extension reflex in honeybees. Learn Mem, 11(3), 294-302. PMID: 15169859
Compatible Equipment
Hardware for Honeybee Research
PER Conditioning Harness
Proboscis extension reflex assays
Hive Observation Camera
In-hive waggle dance recording
RFID Tracking System
Individual bee flight monitoring
Sucrose Stimulus Delivery
Gustatory response scoring
Video Arena
Defensive behavior testing
Related Assays
Other Honeybee Primary Assays

03
Waggle Dance Quantification
Apis mellifera
Automated analysis of the honeybee waggle dance — nature's only known symbolic communication system. Dance parameters en…

03
Foraging / Flight Tracking
Apis mellifera
GPS and radar-based tracking of individual bee foraging flights. Reveals navigation strategies, path efficiency, and spa…

03
Sucrose Responsiveness
Apis mellifera
Gustatory response scoring across a sucrose concentration series. PER threshold reflects motivational state and is modul…
Run Proboscis Extension Reflex (PER) Conditioning on ConductVision
Our team will configure the protocol, camera rig, and analysis pipeline for your honeybee facility.
