The chemical composition of the mandibular gland secretion of Melipona bicolor Lepeletier, 1836 (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini): a comparative study among castes and sexes

the mandibular gland secretions of newly emerged, nurse and forager workers, virgin and physogastric queens and males of melipona bicolor were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. the secretion is composed of a blend of hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, and acids. the secretion is caste-sex specific and also differs with the tasks performed by the workers and the physiological reproductive condition of the queens.