Abstract
Removal of the mandibular glands from workers of Apis mellifera capensis did not interfere with their becoming reproductively dominant in a group of Apis mellifera mellifera workers. Activation of the ovaries of the mellifera workers was inhibited in the presence of Cape bees either with or without their mandibular glands. Gas chromatography plus mass spectrometry confirmed that the main component of the mandibular glands was (E)-9-oxo-2-decenoic acid (75% by weight).