Chemical composition of the dufour gland secretion in queens of Melipona bicolor (Hymenoptera, Meliponini)

Journal of the Brazilian Chemical Society

Jones, Graeme R.¹  Morgan, David¹  Abdalla, Fábio C.¹  Universidade Estadual Paulista, Rio Claro, Brazil¹  Cruz-Landim, Carminda da¹  Keele University, United Kingdom¹ 

关键词: Dufour gland;    Melipona bicolor;    physogastric queen;    stingless bee;    pheromone;    ester;    hydrocarbon;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0103-50532004000500002

学科分类：化学（综合）

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

We describe differences in the chemical composition of the Dufour gland secretion of virgin and physogastric queens of Melipona bicolor through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. The Dufour gland secretion of virgin queens consists only of hydrocarbons, while that of physogastric queens contains, besides these, a variety of other compounds, such as isobutyrate and acetate esters. Such differences may indicate the queen fecundity condition and the oxygenated compounds of the physogastrics secretion may help to increase their attractiveness.

【 授权许可】

Unknown