Chemistry of the Dufour's gland secretions of North American andrenid bees (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

Abstract

The volatile components of the Dufour's gland secretions were examined in 22 Nearctic species of andrenid bees representing 10 subgenera. Farnesyl hexanoate was the dominant component in the secretion of 17 species. In others, various terpenoid esters such as geranyl octanoate, farnesyl octanoate and geranylgeranyl octanoate were the major components. Approximately 30 compounds have been identified in the secretions; many are newly identified in andrenid bees. Three different groups of secretions are discerned with "exceptions." A discussion of the possible function of the Dufour's gland secretion in the biology of, and its use in, the systematics of these bees is presented.

Geranyl hexanoate, the female-produced pheromone of Agriotes sordidus Illiger (Coleoptera: Elateridae) and its activity on both sexes

“…(Asparagales, Orchidaceae) (Schiestl et al 1997;Schiestl and Ayasse 2001). In its pollinator, the solitary bee Andrena nigroaenea Kirby, it has been found as a major constituent of the Dufour's gland secretion and is present on the cuticle surface of unattractive females (Fernandes et al 1981;Tengo ¨and Bergstro ¨m 1975). In A. nigroaenea, FH is electrophysiologically active on male antennae and inhibits the copulation behavior of males.…”

Loss of Gravitropism in Farnesene-Treated Arabidopsis Is Due to Microtubule Malformations Related to Hormonal and ROS Unbalance

“…This volatile is considered a potential defense against aphids and an aphid alarm pheromone, being used by the plant as an allomone [ 10 ]. Emitted by the Dufour’s gland of andrenid bees [ 11 ] and by several genera of ants [ 12 , 13 ], farnesene plays an important role both as a defensive allomone and a trail pheromone [ 14 ].…”

Isolation and bacterial expression of a sesquiterpene synthase cDNA clone from peppermint ( Mentha x piperita , L.) that produces the aphid alarm pheromone ( E )-β-farnesene

“…(E)-␤-Farnesene is emitted by the Dufour's gland of andrenid bees (11) and by several genera of ants (12)(13)(14), where it serves both as a defensive allomone and as a trail pheromone. This sesquiterpene is synthesized de novo in the osmetrial glands of larval Papilio (Lepidoptera͞Papilionidae) as an allomone (15), and it functions as a feeding stimulant to the sand fly Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera͞Psychodidae), an important vector of the blood disease leishmaniasis (16).…”