Deciphering the recognition signature within the cuticular chemical profile of paper wasps

In social insects the mixture of cuticular hydrocarbons is generally considered to act as a recognition pheromone. However, little information exists on the relative importance of single compounds or of different classes of hydrocarbons. We tested the importance for nestmate recognition of a series of alkenes, methyl-branched alkanes and linear alkanes present in the cuticular profile of the social wasp Polistes dominulus. We applied the hydrocarbons on to live wasps and observed the behaviour of nestmates once the treated individual attempted to enter the nest. Linear alkanes had no effect upon the recognition response, whereas wasps treated with methyl-branched alkanes or alkenes were attacked. This is the first systematic evaluation of the role of hydrocarbon classes as recognition cues and begins to define the recognition signature within the cuticular profile for a genus regarded as a model organism for the study of recognition in animals. (C) 2001 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.