Abstract
The cuticular hydrocarbon components of foundresses of Polistes biglumis bimaculatus and of eggs, larvae, pupae and nest paper of the same species were examined by gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry. All the profiles obtained contained a mixture of n—and branched alkanes of various chain lengths; n-pentacosane, n-heptacosane and n-nonacosane have been identified. Profiles of different individuals showed quantitative differences. Hexane extracts obtained from eggs, larvae, pupae and nest paper presented almost the same hydrocarbon composition found in adult female extracts.