Abstract
Head extracts of adult workers of the Brazilian stingless bee Scaptotrigona postica (Trigonini, Meliponinae: Apidae) were analysed for volatile substances by gas chrom atography/ mass spectroscopy. Individual worker bees performing clearly defined tasks and representing five age groups were collected. A total of 36 compounds was identified, 22 of which had not been previously described for a Trigona species. The major components are 2-heptanol, 2-tridecanone, 2-pentadecanone, Z-5-tetradecenylbutanoate and Z-7-hexadecenylbutanoate. 11 of the 36 compounds increase in concentration with age, but only 2 decrease. The other substances are present in more or less constant concentrations. These data are discussed assuming more complicated pheromone-m ediated interactions within an age-dependent polyethism between old workers acting inside and outside the nest than between young house bees
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