Octadecanolide Explained

Octadecanolide is an organic compound with the chemical formula . It is a cyclic ester or lactone, more specifically a macrolide.

Occurrence

Several species of bees (such as some of genera Colletes, Halictus, Lasioglossum) and butterflies (such as some of genus Heliconius) use octadecanolide as a pheromone.[1] The Dufour's gland of bees in the Halictinae subfamily, contains octadecanolide along with other macrocyclic lactones, which could be used for a range of different applications like nest building, larval food and chemical communication.[2] [3] [4]

Notes and References

  1. https://pherobase.com/database/compound/compounds-detail-18-octadecanolide.php octadecanolide
  2. Chemistry of the dufour's gland secretion of halictine bees. Hefetz. Abraham. 1978. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology B. 10.1016/0305-0491(78)90229-8. Blum. Murray. Eickwort. George. Wheeler. James. 1. 61. 129–132.
  3. Systematic relationship of halictinae bees based on the pattern of macrocyclic lactones in the Dufour gland secretion. 10.1016/0020-1790(82)90004-X. 12. 2. 161–170. Insect Biochemistry. 1982 . Johansson . Ingela.
  4. Mitra, Aniruddha . 2013 . Function of the Dufour's gland in solitary and social Hymenoptera . Journal of Hymenoptera Research . 35 . 33–58 . 10.3897/JHR.35.4783 . free .

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