Chemistry of the dufour's gland secretion of halictine bees

Abstract

1. 1. The chemistry of the Dufour's gland secretions of nine species of halictine bees in the genera Agapostemon, Augochlorella, Dialictus, Lasioglossum and Evylaeus has been investigated. 2. 2. The macrocyclic lactones octadecanolide, eicosanolide and docosanolide were identified in nearly all species, and octadecenolide was detected in the secretion of at least one species. 3. 3. Docosanolide has not been previously identified as an insect natural product. 4. 4. The hydrocabones n-heptacosane and n-tricosane frequently accompanied the lactones. 5. 5. The biosynthesis of the lactones and their role in halictine biology are discussed.