title: Exocrine secretions of bees : IV. Macrocyclic lactones and isopentenyl esters in Dufour's gland secretions ofNomia bees (Hymenoptera: Halictidae).
abstract: The volatile components of Dufour's gland extracts were analyzed in four species of NearcticNomia bees;Nomia (Dieunomia)heteropoda, N. (Tetrazonata)tetrazonata, N. (Epinomia)nevadensis, andN. (Epinomia)triangulifera. A homologous series of five saturated macrocyclic lactones ranging from C18 to C26 was identified. A series of esters (branched C5-alkenols and fatty acids) was also identified in all species investigated. Two of these esters are new natural products reported for bees. A discussion of the significance of the Dufour's gland secretion for halictid systematics and its function in the Halictidae is also presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Howard University, 20059, Washington, D.C..
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Duffield
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Laberge
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cane
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wheeler