title: Mandibular gland secretion of Melipona beecheii: chemistry and behavior.
abstract: The mandibular gland secretion of Melipona beecheii contains a rich mixture of terpenoid and oxygenated compounds and unsaturated and saturated hydrocarbons. However, it differs markedly from the 11 other Brazilian species examined in previous studies, both by the absence of 2-heptanol and the presence of rose oxides. The most abundant compound was geranyl hexanoate, whereas the most volatile compounds were cis- and trans-rose oxide and geraniol. The complete blend and five individual components found in the gland secretion were tested by electroantennography (EAG) and behavioral assays. The complete mandibular gland extract and geraniol elicited the strongest EAG responses, whereas these and farnesyl acetate induced the strongest attack response from workers. The role of the rose oxides remains to be elucidated, as they do not appear to play a major role as an alarm pheromone of this species.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Entomología Tropical, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico. lcruz@tap-ecosur.edu.mx
authors.forename: Leopoldo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cruz-López
authors.forename: Edi A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Malo
authors.forename: E David
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rincon
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guzmán
authors.forename: Julio C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rojas
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D008334:Mandible / Q000378:metabolism*