The exocrinology of the queen bumble bee Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Bombini)

Abstract

Chemical analyses are presented of prominent exocrine glands of queen Bombus terrestris including mandibular, labial and hypopharyngeal glands in the head. Dufour's gland and tarsal glands. A plethora of about 500 substances were identified belonging to various aliphatic compounds including hydrocarbons, various classes of esters, alcohols, methyl ketones and fatty acids. A group of chiral hydroxy acids and their butanoic acid esters are reported for the first time in bees.