The functional ecology and evolution of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in bees

SemIDEEV
 19/10/2026
 14:00:00
 Thomas Schmitt, University of Würzburg, Allemagne
 IDEEV - Salle Rosalind Franklin

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are essential components of the insect exoskeleton that serve physiological and communicative functions. In bees, CHC profiles play a critical role in desiccation resistance, as well as in complex social interactions such as nestmate recognition, signaling reproductive status, and species differentiation. In my talk, I will present an overview of the composition and variability of CHC profiles in various bee species and castes, emphasizing the influence of environmental and developmental factors on these chemical profiles. My findings suggest that CHCs function as dynamic chemical cues that mediate social cohesion while reflecting ecological adaptations to climate and habitat. I will also discuss the evolutionary implications of CHC diversification in relation to social complexity and speciation in bees.