Premating behavior of Bombus confusus males and analysis of their labial gland secretion

Article abstract of DOI:10.1023/A:1022353315874

Premating behavior in the bumblebee Bombus confusus was studied. Visual searching for females is not the only premating strategy of this species, as was believed earlier. Males of B. confusus have a normally developed labial gland and its secretion is used to mark a perch from which they visually search for females. The labial gland secretion contains geranylcitronellol and (Z)-9-octadecenyl acetate as the main components.