Abstract: 【Aim】 The objective of this research is to reveal the odour preference and pollinating behavior characteristics of the Italian honeybee, Apis mellifera ligustica for two rapes, Brassica napus cv. Shengli and B. juncea cv. Mawei. 【Methods】 We conducted the field test of foraging preference, the odour preference test in colonies outdoors, and the olfactory response test with “Y” olfactometer and learning-memory test in the laboratory to evaluate the selective preference of A. mellifera ligustica colonies and foragers for flowers of the two rapes and analyze the memory and learning ability of A. mellifera ligustica foragers by proboscis extension response in training and after training. 【Results】 The number of A. mellifera ligustica bees visiting B. napus cv. Shengli flowers was significantly higher than that visiting B. juncea cv. Mawei during 12:00-13:00 in the field test (P<0.05), but the odour memory ofA. mellifera ligustica bees to B. napus cv. Shengli was significantly higher than that to B. juncea cv. Mawei in the 24 h memory test. 【Conclusion】 This research suggests that A. mellifera ligustica has a preference for visiting B. napus cv. Shengli. The odour of flowers is an important factor affecting foraging preference of A. mellifera ligustica. The test of odour response can be used for the quantitative analysis of olfactory sensitivity in honeybees.

Key words: Apis mellifera ligustica, foraging behavior, Brassica napus cv. Shengli, Brassica juncea cv. Mawei, flower odour, behavioral preference