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Proc Biol Sci

Title:		Cuticular lipids as trail pheromone in a social wasp
Author(s):		Steinmetz I; Schmolz E; Ruther J;
Address:		"AG Bienenforschung, Institut fur Biologie, Freie Universitat Berlin, Konigin-Luise-Strasse 1-3, Germany"
Journal Title:		Proc Biol Sci
Year:		2003
Volume:		270
Issue:		1513
Page Number:		385 - 391
DOI:		10.1098/rspb.2002.2256
ISSN/ISBN:		0962-8452 (Print) 1471-2954 (Electronic) 0962-8452 (Linking)
Abstract:		"We investigated the origin and composition of the chemical trail of the common yellow jacket Vespula vulgaris L. (Vespidae) and found that an artificial trail made from an extract of cuticular lipids from V. vulgaris foragers was biologically as active as a trail laid naturally by the foragers. Chemical analysis of natural trail extracts and the behaviourally active cuticular extracts by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that the majority of cuticular hydrocarbons were also present in the trail extract at similar ratios. Thus, bioassay data and chemical analysis provide strong evidence that these cuticular hydrocarbons act as a trail pheromone in V. vulgaris"
Keywords:		"Animals Behavior, Animal Female *Lipid Metabolism Lipids/analysis Pheromones/analysis/*metabolism *Social Behavior Wasps/*chemistry/*physiology;"
Notes:		"MedlineSteinmetz, Inge Schmolz, Erik Ruther, Joachim eng England 2003/03/18 Proc Biol Sci. 2003 Feb 22; 270(1513):385-91. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2002.2256"