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

In social insects the mixture of cuticular hydrocarbons is generally consid ered to act as a recognition pheromone. However, little information exists on the relative importance of single compounds or of different classes of h ydrocarbons. We tested the importance for nestmate recognition of a series of alkenes, methyl-branched alkanes and linear alkanes present in the cutic ular profile of the social wasp Polistes dominulus. We applied the hydrocar bons on to live wasps and observed the behaviour of nestmates once the trea ted individual attempted to enter the nest. Linear alkanes had no effect up on the recognition response, whereas wasps treated with methyl-branched alk anes or alkenes were attacked. This is the first systematic evaluation of t he 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 Ass ociation for the Study of Animal Behaviour.