Description
Bringing together for the first time prominent researchers in social insect pheromone communication, including nestmate recognition, this book looks at ants, wasps, bees, and termites, highlighting areas of convergence and divergence among these groups, and identifying areas that need further investigation. Presenting broad synthetic overviews as well as species-specific studies, the volume will be useful to natural scientists, ecologists, and those interested in pest management, as well as to anyone interested in the fascinating chemically mediated behavioral interactions of social insects.
Table of Contents
Foreword -- Preface -- Introduction: Sources and Secretions -- Pheromone Communication in Social Insects: Sources and Secretions -- The Cuticle and Cuticular Hydrocarbons of Insects: Structure, Function, and Biochemistry -- Nestmate Recognition in Social Insects -- Chemical Cues in Kin Recognition: Criteria for Identification, Experimental Approaches, and the Honey Bee as an Example -- Nestmate Recognition in Ants -- Nest and Nestmate Discrimination in Independent-Founding Paper Wasps -- Nestmate Recognition in Termites -- Social Insect Releaser Pheromones -- Pheromone Directed Behavior in Ants -- Releaser Pheromones in Termites -- Chemical Communication in Social Wasps -- Exocrine Glands and Their Products in Non-Apis Bees: Chemical, Functional and Evolutionary Perspectives -- Mass Action in Honey Bees: Alarm, Swarming and the Role of Releaser Pheromones -- Social Insect Primer Pheromones -- Primer Pheromones in Ants -- Primer Pheromones and Possible Soldier Caste Influence on the Evolution of Sociality in Lower Termites -- Royal Flavors: Honey Bee Queen Pheromones
