The role of trail pheromones in host nest recognition of the social parasitic bumblebees Bombus bohemicus and Bombus rupestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae) |
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Authors: | E Bunk A Sramkova M Ayasse |
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Institution: | (1) Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89069 Ulm, Germany; |
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Abstract: | Bumblebees of the subgenus Psithyrus are obligate social parasites of Bombus colonies. Parasitic females enter host colonies and replace the host queen. The offspring of the parasite is reared by the
host workers. Females locate host colonies by nest searching flights and recognition of species-specific nest odours at the
entrance. We investigated inter- and intraspecific odour variation of 45 hydrocarbons of nests of potential hosts by coupled
gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and tested the preferences of the parasite females of B. bohemicus and B. rupestris for these mixtures in Y-olfactometer choice tests. Interspecific and intracolonial differences in the odour bouquets of the
host species were found to be predominantly due to different patterns of alkenes. Furthermore, we found intercolonial differences
within the single species. In behavioural assays, females of the two species showed different preferences for the offered
nest odours, implicating different host spectra. Bombus rupestris showed a clear preference for the scent of its host, B. lapidarius. Bombus bohemicus females were attracted by B. terrestris, B. lucorum, and B. cryptarum in a similar manner. The results show that volatile signals enable parasite females to discriminate between potential host
species. |
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