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Nonvolatile chemicals provide a nest defence mechanism for stingless bees Tetragonula carbonaria (Apidae, Meliponini)
Author(s) -
Wang Shijie,
Wittwer Bernadette,
Heard Tim A.,
Goodger Jason Q. D.,
Elgar Mark A.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
ethology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.739
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-0310
pISSN - 0179-1613
DOI - 10.1111/eth.12768
Subject(s) - propolis , stingless bee , nest (protein structural motif) , biology , brood , apidae , hymenoptera , botany , biochemistry
Social insects construct nests that protect their brood and food resources from both the physical environment and natural enemies. Stingless bees use plant‐derived resins, mixed with wax to form propolis, in the construction of their nests, and these products can be effective sources of defense against natural enemies, including ants. However, it is not known whether this defense, in the form of deterring or repelling workers, derives from the physical properties or chemical compounds of these products. The nest entrance of Tetragonula carbonaria is constructed with propolis and Corymbia resins, and we ask whether nonvolatile chemicals present in these products act as a defense against ants. Our field experiments revealed that workers of Iridomyrmex mayri Forel were deterred from crossing a chemical barrier comprising nonvolatile, nonpolar (hexane) extracts of propolis and Corymbia tree resin. However, polar (ethanol) extracts did not have this effect. These data are the first to demonstrate that the chemical components alone of entrance propolis and resins can provide a nest‐defense function against ants.