Volatiles from Different Instars of Honeybee Worker Larvae and Their Food

Abstract

(E)-β-Ocimene was the only volatile chemical found to be emitted by whole, live worker larvae of Apis mellifera L. when sampling in the vapor phase. In addition to (E)-β-ocimene, there is evidence for the existence of other volatiles, but the changes in their composition and contents remain unknown during larval development, as are their differences from larvae to larval food. We investigated volatile components of worker larvae and larval food using solid phase dynamic extraction (SPDE) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Nine compounds were identified with certainty and six tentatively, including terpenoids, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, an ester and a ketone. The contents of volatiles in the second-instar worker larvae differ greatly from those in larvae of other stages. This is mainly attributable to terpenoids, which resulted in the second-instar worker larvae having significantly higher amounts of overall volatiles. Larval food contained significantly higher amounts of aldehydes and hydrocarbons than the corresponding larvae from the fourth to fifth-instar. We discovered volatiles in worker larvae and their food that were never reported before; we also determined the content changes of these volatiles during larval development.

Exploring the Chemical Constituents and Nutritive Potential of Bee Drone (Apilarnil): Emphasis on Antioxidant Properties

“…These compounds are recognized as active odor components of honeybee larvae [26] . Nonanal is derived from bees, beeswax, and larval food [26,89,90] . It is naturally present in various essential oils and is primarily used to create rose‐like scents in perfumery products.…”

“…[26] Nonanal is derived from bees, beeswax, and larval food. [26,89,90] It is naturally present in various essential oils and is primarily used to create rose-like scents in perfumery products. Nonanal demonstrates the ability to combat Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC 50 ) of 125 μg/ml).…”

Identification and Discrimination of Volatiles Associated With Chalkbrood Infection in European Honey Bees (Apis Mellifera), Eastern Australia

“…3, Online Resource 1). Long chain hydrocarbons commonly associated with insect cuticle(Zhang et al 2019) were also detected but not included in the analysis. Hydrocarbons are known triggers of hygienic behaviour associated with Varroa infestation(Wagoner et al 2020), but not A. apis infection.…”