T.M. Nunes, I.C.C. Turatti, S. Mateus, F.S. Nascimento, N.P. Lopes, R. Zucchi
Published: May 26, 2009
Genet. Mol. Res. 8 (2) : 589-595
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-2kerr012

Cite this Article:
T.M. Nunes, I.C.C. Turatti, S. Mateus, F.S. Nascimento, N.P. Lopes, R. Zucchi (2009). Cuticular hydrocarbons in the stingless bee Schwarziana quadripunctata (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini): differences between colonies, castes and age. Genet. Mol. Res. 8(2): 589-595. https://doi.org/10.4238/vol8-2kerr012

About the Authors
T.M. Nunes, I.C.C. Turatti, S. Mateus, F.S. Nascimento, N.P. Lopes, R. Zucchi

Correponding author
T.M. Nunes
E-mail: tulionunes@pg.ffclrp.usp.br

ABSTRACT

Chemical communication is of fundamental importance to maintain the integration of insect colonies. In honey bees, cuticular lipids differ in their composition between queens, workers and drones. Little is known, however, about cuticular hydrocarbons in stingless bees. We investigated chemical differences in cuticular hydrocarbons between different colonies, castes and individuals of different ages in Schwarziana quadripunctata. The epicuticle of the bees was extracted using the non-polar solvent hexane, and was analyzed by means of a gas chromatograph coupled with a mass spectrometer. The identified compounds were alkanes, branched-alkanes and alkenes with chains of 19 to 33 carbon atoms. Discriminant analyses showed clear differences between all the groups analyzed. There were significant differences between bees from different colonies, workers of different age and between workers and virgin queens.

Key words: Stingless bees, hydrocarbons, chemical communication, social insect, Schwarziana quadripunctata.