Learnt information in species-specific 'trail pheromone' communication in stingless bees

► Stingless bee recruitment involves species- and colony-specific scent marks. ► Specific scents allow private communication to avoid eavesdropping and competition. ► We tested whether specific scent mark recognition by foragers is innate or learnt. ► Foragers raised in the nests of foreign species are attracted by the foreign scent. ► Stingless bee recruitment includes pheromone signals and learnt signature mixtures.