The cephalic labial gland secretions of two socially parasitic bumblebees Bombus hyperboreus (Alpinobombus) and Bombus inexspectatus (Thoracobombus) question their inquiline strategy
Language English Country Australia Media print-electronic
Document type Comparative Study, Journal Article
- Keywords
- Bombus hyperboreus, Bombus inexspectatus, bumblebees, cephalic labial gland secretions, inquiline strategy, social parasitism,
- MeSH
- Exocrine Glands metabolism MeSH
- Animal Communication * MeSH
- Social Behavior * MeSH
- Bees chemistry MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Comparative Study MeSH
Social parasitic Hymenopterans have evolved morphological, chemical, and behavioral adaptations to overcome the sophisticated recognition and defense systems of their social host to invade host nests and exploit their worker force. In bumblebees, social parasitism appeared in at least 3 subgenera independently: in the subgenus Psithyrus consisting entirely of parasitic species, in the subgenus Alpinobombus with Bombus hyperboreus, and in the subgenus Thoracobombus with B. inexspectatus. Cuckoo bumblebee males utilize species-specific cephalic labial gland secretions for mating purposes that can impact their inquiline strategy. We performed cephalic labial gland secretions in B. hyperboreus, B. inexspectatus and their hosts. Males of both parasitic species exhibited high species specific levels of cephalic gland secretions, including different main compounds. Our results showed no chemical mimicry in the cephalic gland secretions between inquilines and their host and we did not identify the repellent compounds already known in other cuckoo bumblebees.
Department of Biology the Pennsylvania State University University Park Pennsylvania USA
Department of Mathematics University of Pavia Pavia Italy
Faculty of Science Department of Zoology University of South Bohemia České Budějovice Czech Republic
Laboratory of Zoology Research institute of Biosciences University of Mons Mons Belgium
References provided by Crossref.org
Variability in Sexual Pheromones Questions their Role in Bumblebee Pre-Mating Recognition System