2-Heptanone in the Mandibular Gland Secretion of the Honey-bee

Abstract

WORKER honey-bees produce alarm pheromones in their sting apparatus and in their mandibular glands1. One of the components of the sting pheromone2 has been identified as isoamyl acetate which releases strong alarm behaviour in bees. When filter paper treated with isoamyl acetate is placed at the hive entrance the bees nearby become alerted and greatly agitated. They assume a characteristic aggressive posture and run jerkily in circles or short zigzags preferentially toward the paper. The same behaviour can be observed when mandibular glands or crushed heads of worker bees are presented at the hive entrance.