Abstract
Head extracts of workers and mated queens of the closely related species of Apis cerana and A. nigrocincta from Sulawesi, Indonesia were quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography- mass spectrometry for several mandibular gland components. The amounts of many compounds were significantly different between species for both queens and workers. Quantities of 10 of the 16 compounds quantified in queen bees differed significantly between the two species. Of the three known mandibular gland retinue pheromone components in A. cerana queens ((E)-9-oxodec-2-enoic acid (9-ODA), (E)-9-hydroxydec-2-enoic acid (9-HDA), and methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (HOB)), the amounts of 9-HDA and HOB were significantly different between species. Quantities of 6 of the 11 compounds quantified in worker bees differed significantly between the two species. This quantitative analysis supports the hypothesis that A. cerana and A. nigrocincta are indeed separate species. Apis cerana / Apis nigrocincta / honey bee / mandibular gland / pheromone
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