« Previous AbstractBumble bee queen pheromones are context-dependent    Next AbstractEffect of phytosanitary irradiation on the postharvest quality of Seedless Kishu mandarins (Citrus kinokuni mukakukishu) »

J Chem Ecol

Title:		A Gland of Many Uses: a Diversity of Compounds in the Labial Glands of the Bumble Bee Bombus impatiens Suggests Multiple Signaling Functions
Author(s):		Orlova M; Villar G; Hefetz A; Millar JG; Amsalem E;
Address:		"Department of Entomology, Center for Chemical Ecology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. School of Zoology, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. School of Marine Sciences, Ruppin Academic Center, Kfar Monash, Israel. Departments of Entomology and Chemistry, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, 92521, USA. Department of Entomology, Center for Chemical Ecology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. eua6@psu.edu"
Journal Title:		J Chem Ecol
Year:		2022
Volume:		20220312
Issue:		3
Page Number:		270 - 282
DOI:		10.1007/s10886-022-01348-4
ISSN/ISBN:		1573-1561 (Electronic) 0098-0331 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Communication in social insect colonies depends on signals accurately reflecting the identity and physiological state of the individuals. Such information is coded by the products of multiple exocrine glands, and the resulting blends reflect the species, sex, caste, age, task, reproductive status, and health of an individual, and may also contain caste-specific pheromones regulating the behavior and physiology of other individuals. Here we examined the composition of labial gland secretions in females of the bumble bee Bombus impatiens, of different castes, social condition, age, mating status, and ovarian activation. We show that active queens, gynes, and workers each produce caste-specific compounds that may serve different communicative functions. The composition and amounts of wax esters, mostly octyl esters produced by active queens, differed significantly between castes, mating, and social conditions, suggesting a social signaling role. Farnesyl esters were predominant in gynes and peaked at optimal mating age (6-10 days), suggesting their possible roles as sex pheromone components. Reproductive status of females and age across castes was reflected by the ratio between short- and long-chain hydrocarbons, suggesting that these compounds may serve as fertility signals. Our findings overall suggest that the labial gland composition in B. impatiens reflects different facets of female physiology. While further bioassays are required to determine the functions of these compounds, they are likely to have important roles in communication between individuals"
Keywords:		Animals Bees Exocrine Glands Female Fertility *Pheromones Reproduction/physiology *Sex Attractants Labial glands Reproduction Sex pheromones Signals Social insects;
Notes:		"MedlineOrlova, Margarita Villar, Gabriel Hefetz, Abraham Millar, Jocelyn G Amsalem, Etya eng 1942127/directorate for biological sciences/ 2022/03/13 J Chem Ecol. 2022 Mar; 48(3):270-282. doi: 10.1007/s10886-022-01348-4. Epub 2022 Mar 12"