Identification and analysis of the male labial gland secretions of the three species of Bombus (Thoracobombus) (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

The males of the three species of bumblebees, Bombus (Thoracobombus) ruderarius (Müller), B. (T.) persicus Radoszkowskiand B. (T.) mesomelas Gerstaecker collected from Vikan village, Qazvin province and their male labial gland secretions were analyzed by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and components of their extracts were identified. The major compounds were a complex mixture of alkenols, alkenals, fatty acids, hydrocarbons, wax type esters and steroids. The main component of male labial gland secretions of B. ruderarius, B. persicus and B. mesomelas were determined to be 9-hexadecenol (42.1%), Z-13-octadecen-1-yl acetate (81.8%) andZ-12- pentacosene (34.4%), respectively. Results shown that if detection of species in male bumblebees be difficult by using morphologic characters, then identification can be confirmed by detecting main component of male labial gland of these bees.