Studies on Natural Odoriferous Compounds VIII

• Main Authors: Bergström, Gunnar, Svensson, Bo G.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Hosted by Utah State University Libraries 1973
• Subjects: Entomology; Life Sciences; Northern Sweden
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_ba/114; https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1113&context=bee_lab_ba

Studies on natural odoriferous compounds. VIII. Characteristic marking secretions of the forms lapponicus and scandinavicus of Bombus lapponicus Fabr. (Hymenoptera, Apidae). Bergstrom, G; Svensson, B. G. (Institute of Medical Biochemistry, University of Goteborg, S-400 33 Gdteborg, Department of Entomology, Uppsala University, S-751 22 Uppsala, and the Eco-logical Station, Uppsala University, S-380 60 Fiirjestaden, Sweden). Chemica Scripta (Sweden). The volatile, cephalic marking secretions from males of the bumble-bee species Bombus lapponicus Fabr. have been analysed by combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and capillary gas chromatography. It was found that the two forms of this species, which are to be found in Tome Lappmark, northern Sweden, possess distinctly different marking secretions. All-trans-geranylcitronellol was found to be the main component in the secretion from the form lapponicus, whereas a hexadecanyl acetate was found to be the dominant component of the other form, scandinavicus. In addition to these compounds, B. lapponicus lapponicus contained hexadecanol and eicosyl acetate while B. lapponicus scandinavicus contained hexadecyl acetate and hexadecanol. Both forms also possess aliphatic, normal chain hydrocarbons: heneicosane, tricosane and pentacosane. The two forms differ characteristically also in their colour morphology. We have found that there is a very good correlation between the composition of the marking secretion and the distribution of black and yellow hairs on the scutellum and on the first abdominal tergite.