I.C. Tannure-Nascimento, F.S. Nascimento, I.C. Turatti, N.P. Lopes, J.R. Trigo and R. Zucchi
Published June 27, 2007
Genet. Mol. Res. 6 (2): 390-396 (2007)

About the Authors
I.C. Tannure-Nascimento, F.S. Nascimento, I.C. Turatti, N.P. Lopes, J.R. Trigo and R. Zucchi

Corresponding author
F.S. Nascimento
E-mail: fabio.nascimento@pesquisador.cnpq.br

ABSTRACT

Nestmate recognition is one the most important features in social insect colonies. Although epicuticular lipids or cuticular hydrocarbons have both structural and defensive functions in insects, they also seem to be involved in several aspects of communication in wasps, bees and ants. We analyzed and described for the first time the cuticular hydrocarbons of a Neotropical paper wasp, Polistes satan, and found that variation in hydrocarbon profile was sufficiently strong to discriminate individuals according to their colony membership. Therefore, it seems that small differences in the proportion of these compounds can be detected and used as a chemical based cue by nestmates to detect invaders and avoid usurpation.

Key words: Chemical identity, Cuticular hydrocarbons, Kin selection, Social wasps.