Meaningful Words in Crowd Noise: Searching for Volatiles Relevant to Carpenter Bees among the Diverse Scent Blends of Bee Flowers

Olfactory cues constitute one of the most important plant-pollinator communication channels. Specific chemical components can be associated with specific pollinator functional groups due to pollinator-mediated selection on flower volatile (FV) emission. Here, we used multivariate analyses FV data detect an association between FVs and worldwide distributed group carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.). We compiled 29 plant species: 9 pollinated by bees, 20 other bee groups. tested whether emission differed these To rule out any phylogenetic bias in our dataset, for signal. Finally, using field assays, attractive function two found bees. no significant difference FVs. However, seven (five apocarotenoid terpenoids, long-chain alkane benzenoid) were significantly pollination, thus being “predictor” compounds pollination this group. From those, ?-ionone (E)-methyl cinnamate presented highest indicator values had their behavioural assessed assays. Phylogenetic signal was weak, suggesting that could result from selection. In attracted but also The benzenoid did not attract numbers pollinators. Thus, functions as a non-specific attractant, while emerge consistent indicators large food-foraging among bee-pollinated flowers.