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Virgin Queen Mandibular Gland Signals of Apis mellifera capensis Change with Age and Affect Honeybee Worker Responses

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Abstract

The mandibular gland secretions of Apis mellifera capensis virgin queens were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Changes in the patterns of the mandibular gland volatiles of A. m. capensis virgin queens were followed from emergence until 14-d old. Ontogenetic changes in the mandibular gland secretions were largely quantitative in nature, delineating the age categories (global R = 0.612, P = 0.001), except for 7- and 14-d-old queens, which cannot be separated on their mandibular gland profiles (P = 0.2). (E)-9-Oxodec-2-enoic acid (9ODA) contributes most and most consistently to the dissimilarity between groups as well as the similarity within groups. Worker reactions to introduced virgin queens of various ages were recorded. Workers showed a significant increase in hostile reactions as queens aged (r = 0.615, N = 20, P < 0.05). Consequently, worker reactions and relative 9ODA production exhibit a positive queen age-dependent response.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the National Research Foundation for funding this project. Thanks are also due to Dr. Arnaud Grégoire for his statistical contribution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa

    Theresa C. Wossler

  2. Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    Georgina E. Jones & Randall Hepburn

  3. Honeybee Research Section, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Council, P/Bag X5017, Stellenbosch, 7599, South Africa

    Michael H. Allsopp

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  1. Theresa C. Wossler
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  2. Georgina E. Jones
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Correspondence to Theresa C. Wossler.

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Wossler, T.C., Jones, G.E., Allsopp, M.H. et al. Virgin Queen Mandibular Gland Signals of Apis mellifera capensis Change with Age and Affect Honeybee Worker Responses. J Chem Ecol 32, 1043–1056 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-006-9053-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-006-9053-8

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