Melipona Beecheii (Hymenoptera, Apidae) foragers deposit a chemical mark on food to attract conspecifics
Karen Espadas-Pinacho Za et.al.
Grupo de Ecología de Artrópodos y Manejo de Plagas, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto, Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico
COMMUN. BIOMATH. SCI., VOL. 5, NO. 2, 2022, PP. 151-160
The fascinating world of stingless bees and their complex chemical communication system are the main topics of this study. In particular, the researchers investigate how Melipona Beecheii foragers behave and their capacity to draw other conspecifics to food sources. The study sheds light on the mechanisms that promote effective food location among these unusual bees by looking at forager preferences and analysing the chemical makeup of several extracts. The results underline the significance of labial gland secretion and offer insightful information on the substances involved in conspecific recruitment. The necessity for more study in this field is underscored by the fact that more research is necessary to properly comprehend and synthesise these molecules.
Key points:
● Stingless bees, specifically Melipona Beecheii, have a complex chemical communication system that helps them find food sources.
● Foragers of Melipona Beecheii prefer to visit feeders that have been previously visited by other bees of the same species.
● Foragers show a preference for feeders baited with labial gland extracts compared to mandibular gland extracts or hexane.
● Labial gland extracts elicit stronger antennal responses from foragers compared to mandibular gland extracts or hexane.
● The labial gland extracts and extracts from visited feeders contain a combination of unsaturated hydrocarbons, straight chain hydrocarbons, and small amounts of esters.
● The main component of the extracts is a mixture of alkene isomers called C27:1.
● The findings suggest that labial gland secretion left behind by foraging bees at food sources may contribute to attracting conspecifics.
●Further analysis and research are needed to reach a definitive conclusion and identify/synthesize the specific compounds used by Melipona Beecheii foragers to recruit other bees towards food resources.
