Does sensory deception matter in eusocial obligate food robber systems? A study of Lestrimelitta and stingless bee hosts

► We studied the role of sensory deception in an obligate cleptobiont bee system. ► The cuticular profiles of Lestrimelitta and preferred hosts were similar. ► Similarity in cuticular profiles was related to time to aggression and raid ratio. ► Host selection may depend on speed of response to cleptobionts. ► Sensory deception may help Lestrimelitta scouts evade recognition and attacks from chemically similar host species.