Honey bee swarming is a natural phenomenon that occurs when the colony encounters changes in the in-hive (i.e. population size and queen condition) and environmental conditions. To better understand the molecular basis of swarming, we conducted the transcriptomic profiles of worker bees between before swarming [pre-swarming colony (PSC)] and after swarming [swarming group (SG) and remaining group (RG)]. Based on the gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we predicted the biological processes associated with swarming. In addition, we analyzed the composition of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and compared their profiles between different bee groups. GSEA results showed that there were a little differences between PSC and RG while many of the pathways related with metabolism and protein processing were down regulated in SG relative to PSC and RG. CHCs profiling revealed a similar CHCs composition between PSC and RG but some differences in CHCs composition (i.e. heneicosane, octacosane, octacosanol) were detected between SG and RG. These differences in gene pathway and CHC composition were discussed with respect to physiological changes and social communication.

• Kyungmun Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea)
• Sang hyeon Kim(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea)
• Jea ho Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea)
• Seung hee Han(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea)
• Young ho Kim(Department of Applied Biology, Kyungpook National University)
• Si hyeock Lee(Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-921, Republic of Korea)