Changes With Age in Ultrastructure and Pheromone Content of Male Labial Glands in Some Bumble Bee Species (Hymneoptera, Apidae)

Authors

Lennart Agren, Uppsala University
Bjorn Cederberg, Uppsala University
Bo G. Svensson, Uppsala University

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Zoon

Volume

7

Publication Date

1-1-1979

First Page

1

Last Page

14

Abstract

The cephalic part of the labial glands as the source of the male sexual pheromone in bumble bees is verified. Combined electron microscopic and thin layer chromato-graphic (TLC) studies of this gland of Pyrobombus lapidarius and P. hypnorum plus additional TLC tests on Megabombus hortorum revealed the pheromone production to differ gradually in time. During the first day of life the cells start to synthesize compounds of at least five main chemical classes, filling the acini of the gland at about the fourth day of life. During that process the cells flatten. The activity of the cells still remains at this time but gradually declines during the rest of the life of the bee. A smooth endoplasmic reticulum seems to be the cellular site of production.

Recommended Citation

Agren, Lennart; Cederberg, Bjorn; and Svensson, Bo G., "Changes With Age in Ultrastructure and Pheromone Content of Male Labial Glands in Some Bumble Bee Species (Hymneoptera, Apidae)" (1979). A. Paper 37.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/bee_lab_a/37