What is the function of Dufour's gland?

Dufour's gland is primarily involved in the secretion of pheromones, which are chemical substances that influence the behavior of other bees. In particular, the gland produces a type of pheromone that can serve various functions within the colony, such as signaling alarm or helping to mark territory. The gland is located in different types of bees, including honeybees, and plays a crucial role in communication.

The other options, while related to different functions within the bee colony, do not accurately describe the specific role of Dufour's gland. The storage of honey pertains to honey sacs and other parts of the bee's anatomy, not Dufour's gland. The production of alkaline substances is unrelated to this gland's function, and although providing nutrients to larvae is vital for a colony, it is primarily the role of worker bees through the secretion of other glands rather than Dufour's gland.