Ontogenetic Patterns in Amounts and Proportions of Dufour's Gland Volatile Secretions in Virgin and Nesting Queens of Lasioglossum malachurum (Hymenoptera: Halictidae)

Abstract

Abstract In the primitively eusocial sweat bee, Lasioglossum malachurum, 66 volatile compounds could be identified from queen Dufour’s gland secretions. The patterns found in gynes and in old nesting queens differed in the absolute amounts of extractable volatiles as well as in the relative proportions. 3-Methyl-3-butenyl octadecanoate is the main component in gynes, while 18-octadecanolide, 20-eicosanolide and 22-docosanolide largely dominate the bouquets of old queens. The probable roles of some specific compounds in pheromonal communication of mates and in nest recognition are discussed. Correlations with the volume of the fat body and the vitellogenic status of the ovary are described.