Comparative morphology and chemical contents of male mandibular glands of several Centris species (Hymenoptera: Anthophoridae) in Costa Rica☆

Abstract The morphology and chemical contents of male mandibular glands from several species of Costa Rican Centris bees are described. Species that marked their territories with oral secretions had enlarged mandibular glands containing varying amounts of known monoterpenes. Species that marked territories with hindleg secretions and those that are not known to chemically mark territories had vestigial mandibular glands containing little or no volatile oil. With regard to territorial marking behavior, chemo-ecological and phylogenetic relationships of several Centris subgenera are discussed.