Age-dependent changes in the chemistry of exocrine glands of Bombus terrestris queens

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Authors	URBANOVA Klara CAHLÍKOVÁ Lucie HOVORKA Oldřich PTÁČEK Vladimír VALTEROVÁ Irena
Year of publication	2008
Type	Article in Periodical
Magazine / Source	Journal of Chemical Ecology
MU Faculty or unit	Faculty of Science
Citation
Web	http://www.springerlink.com/content/h0ll31p431582134/
Field	Physiology
Keywords	bumblebees; queens; gland secretions; sex pheromone; 3-hydroxydecanoic acid
Description	Extracts of three different glands (mandibular, labial, and Dufour's) of virgin Bombus terrestris queens at ten different ages (1-8, 12, and 18 days) were analyzed for chemical composition. One hundred and twenty-seven compounds were identified in the extracts. The mandibular and labial glands contained previously reported electroantennogram-active compounds (3-hydroxydecanoic acid, fatty acids of different chain lengths, their esters, and heptacosene). These compounds reached a maximum concentration in 3- to 7-d-old queens. Geranylcitronellol was found in both labial and Dufour's glands. Its amount was inversely correlated to age of queens.
Related projects:	Bumblebees as an Active Element of the Environment Biodiversity