Pollination by sexual mimicry in Mormolyca ringens: a floral chemistry that remarkably matches the pheromones of virgin queens of Scaptotrigona sp

J Chem Ecol. 2006 Jan;32(1):59-70. doi: 10.1007/s10886-006-9351-1. Epub 2006 Feb 26.

Abstract

The chemical composition of some volatile (2-heptanol) and nonvolatile constituents (a homologous 9-alkene/alkane series) of Mormolyca ringens flowers and Scaptotrigona sp. queen waxes (homologous 9-alkene/alkane series) and cephalic extracts (homologous series of 2-alkanols, including 2-heptanol) involved with the pseudocopulation or sexual mimicry in Orchidaceae pollination is compared. The similarity in chemical composition of flowers and insects is assigned to the chemically induced copulatory activity in Scaptotrigona males.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bees / physiology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Orchidaceae / physiology*
  • Pollen*
  • Sex Attractants*
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Sex Attractants