Abstract
Synthetic (E)-9-oxo-2-decenoic acid (9-ODA) was as attractive to drones as ether extracts of queen heads, suggesting that 9-ODA is the component of the sex pheromone that attracts drones from a distance. However, other substances produced in the heads of both virgin and mated queens cause drones to hover near a lure. Positive anemotaxis and short-range visual stimuli are also involved in the mate-finding process. “Keeper” substances ensure the gradual release of the pheromone. (E)-9-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (9-HDA) did not attract drones from a distance or affect their behavior near a lure.
Synthetic 9-ODA was slightly attractive to worker bees from a queenless swarm and 9-HDA was not attractive. However, ether extracts of whole queens or queen heads contain unidentified substances that are highly attractive. These are produced more abundantly by mated laying queens than by virgin queens.
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Contribution Numbers 400 and 801 from Ottawa Research Station and Chemistry and Biology Institute, respectively.
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Boch, R., Shearer, D.A. & Young, J.C. Honey bee pheromones: Field tests of natural and artificial queen substance. J Chem Ecol 1, 133–148 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987726
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987726