Seasonal variation in the titers and biosynthesis of the primer pheromone ethyl oleate in honey bees

▸ Ethyl oleate (EO) titers of honey bee workers vary according to the season. ▸ EO titers of nectar foragers are higher than of pollen foragers or nurses. ▸ EO titers and biosynthesis are high in the summer and low in the winter. ▸ Methoprene enhances EO biosynthesis in foragers in the summer. ▸ Methoprene enhances transport of EO from the gut to the cuticle of foragers.