Zeros transfer for recursively defined polynomials

Abstract The zeros of D’Arcais polynomials, also known as Nekrasov–Okounkov polynomials, dictate the vanishing of the Fourier coefficients of powers of the Dedekind eta functions. These polynomials satisfy difference equations of hereditary type with non-constant coefficients. We relate the D’Arcais polynomials to polynomials satisfying a Volterra difference equation of convolution type. We obtain results on the transfer of the location of the zeros. As an application, we obtain an identity between Chebyshev polynomials of the second kind and 1-associated Laguerre polynomials. We obtain a new version of the Lehmer conjecture and bounds for the zeros of the Hermite polynomials.