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Published on: February 24, 2013
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Formic acid in caustic cephalic secretions of stingless bee,Oxytrigona (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
D W Roubik1, B H Smith, R G Carlson
1Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute APDO, 2072, Balboa, Republic of Panama.
Journal of Chemical Ecology
|December 5, 2013
Abstract:
The cephalic extracts of two species in the stingless bee genusOxytrigona were analyzed. Extracts made in diethyl ether, and then derivatized with diphenyldiazomethane, revealed large quantities of formic acid, potentially a major defensive secretion of this stingless bee group. We additionally identify several hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, and acetates. Novel diketones identified by others were detected in both species.

