Bee fear responses are mediated by dopamine and influence cognition

Predatory threats, even when they do not involve direct consumption (non-consumptive effects, NCEs), can profoundly influence the physiology and behavior of prey. This impact is especially notable in bees encountering hornet predators, which elicit a response similar to fear. Nevertheless, the physiological mechanisms that initiate this fear response and its effects on the bees' cognitive and olfactory capabilities remain largely unknown. We show that, initially, bees decreased time spent near the hornet, demonstrated fearful behavior, and moved with greater velocity to escape. After a prolonged 24-hour exposure, bees adopted defensive clustering, displayed greater predator avoidance, and experienced a decline in brain dopamine levels. Prolonged predator exposure also diminished bee olfactory sensitivity to odors and their mechanical sensitivity to air currents, leading to impaired olfactory learning. However, boosting brain dopamine reversed one fear-like behavior (average bee velocity in the presence of a hornet) and restored olfactory sensitivity and learning. We therefore provide evidence linking dopamine to sensory and cognitive declines associated with fear in an insect.