REACTION OF HONEYBEE WORKERS (APIS MELLIFERA L.) TO FATTY ACIDS IN QUEEN SIGNALS

Abstract

Honeybee workers (Apis mellifera) were tested in a metabolic bioassay for their response to the odours of semiochemicals of low volatility from the mandibular glands of queens and of chemically related compounds. (E)-9-oxodec-2-enoic acid, the queen substance (9-ODA) provided the most active volatile signal of the queen’s mandibular gland secretions. Three other compounds tested did not release stronger reactions than related compounds not present in the queen signal. The workers reaction to 9- ODA is as a result of olfaction and not of contact perception. The volatile signal of live queens released stronger reactions from the workers than mandibular gland extracts. Semiochemicals from sources other than the mandibular gland secretions seem to be responsible for this phenomenon.