南方小花蝽在不同试验空间对西花蓟马的捕食及搜寻效应

【背景】南方小花蝽是一类很有利用前景的捕食性天敌,而有关其在不同捕食空间下对我国局部地区暴发成灾的重要入侵害虫西花蓟马捕食控制效能的研究较少。【方法】在实验室条件下比较研究了南方小花蝽成虫在不同试验空间对西花蓟马成虫、若虫的捕食选择性、捕食功能反应与搜寻效应。【结果】南方小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食选择性强于成虫;在相同的试验空间,南方小花蝽成虫的日均捕食量随猎物数量的增加而增大,其对西花蓟马成虫和若虫的捕食量在猎物数量为每指形管中60头时最大,分别为15.[KG-*8]90和19.[KG-*8]30头;而搜寻效应随猎物数量的增加而降低。在各供试条件下,捕食功能反应均符合Holling Ⅱ型方程;南方小花蝽成虫在小饲养容器中对西花蓟马若虫的瞬时攻击率最大,为1.[KG-*8]2794;而在大饲养容器中对西花蓟马成虫的瞬时攻击率最小,仅为0.[KG-*8]3506,其处理1头西花蓟马成虫的时间约需0.[KG-*8]0402 d,而处理1头若虫的时间仅需0.[KG-*8]0242 d。在相同的猎物数量下,南方小花蝽成虫在大饲养容器中对西花蓟马的日均捕食量均低于其在小饲养容器中对西花蓟马的日均捕食量。【结论与意义】南方小花蝽对西花蓟马有很强的捕食效能,对西花蓟马的种群消长具有一定控制作用。本研究旨在为应用南方小花蝽防治西花蓟马积累资料,同时为西花蓟马的综合治理奠定理论基础。     

几种杀虫剂对西花蓟马的室内毒力

用浸渍法进行了7种杀虫剂对西花蓟马成虫和若虫的室内毒力测定。结果表明,多杀霉素(48 h)、甲氨基阿维菌素苯甲酸盐(48 h)、阿维菌素(48 h)、辛硫磷(24 h)对西花蓟马成虫的LC50值为0.0544-3.1573 mg.L-1,对西花蓟马若虫的LC50值为0.0219-1.0905 mg.L-1,是防治西花蓟马的较好药剂。     

西花蓟马的快速冷驯化及其生态学代价

西花蓟马是我国蔬菜、果树和观赏植物上的一种重要入侵害虫.该害虫通过取食寄主汁液和传播多种植物病毒造成危害,而后者危害造成的经济损失更大.温度是影响西花蓟马生长发育和繁殖的一个重要非生物因子,而该虫对温度的耐受性决定了它的越冬存活率和地理分布.为探明低温对西花蓟马的不利影响,研究了西花蓟马若虫和成虫的快速冷驯化对其存活、发育和繁殖的影响.结果表明,随着温度降低,西花蓟马若虫和成虫存活率逐渐下降,但若虫对低温更为敏感.当成虫和若虫暴露于-13℃和-13.5℃下2h后,其存活率分别为25％和27％.根据识别温度定义,这两个温度分别被定义为若虫和成虫的识别温度.将西花蓟马成、若虫在0℃或5℃驯化2h后,再置于各自识别温度下,其存活率都得到了明显提高,但雌雄成虫间的存活率并无差异;然而,在0℃下驯化2h后,若虫和雌雄成虫的存活率得到了最大幅度的地提高,分别达46％、54％、49％.西花蓟马若虫经不同低温处理后,其发育历期、羽化后的成虫寿命、产卵时间与对照相比无显著差异,但产卵量显著降低;成虫经过低温处理后,其寿命,产卵量和产卵时间明显降低.研究结果支持昆虫快速冷驯化与其适合度之间存在平衡的假说;同时,也可为该虫的分布和治理研究提供相应的基础信息.     

微小花蝽对四种猎物的喜好性

【目的】了解微小花蝽Orius minutus(Linnaeus)对4种主要自然猎物的喜好性。【方法】通过非选择性和选择性试验,室内测定并比较了微小花蝽初孵若虫、刚蜕皮后的5龄若虫和新羽化雌成虫对朱砂叶螨Tetranychus cinnabarinus(Boisduval)成螨、桃蚜Myzus persicae(Sulzer)低龄若虫、西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis(Pergande)2龄若虫和烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius)2-3龄若虫的日捕食量和喜好性Ci值。【结果】非选择性试验结果表明,在4种供试猎物中,微小花蝽初孵若虫对西花蓟马2龄若虫和朱砂叶螨成螨的日捕食量为最大,分别为14.20头/d和12.40头/d,刚蜕皮后的5龄若虫和新羽化雌成虫对朱砂叶螨成螨的日捕食量均为最大,分别为44.40头/d和37.20头/d。选择性试验结果表明,微小花蝽初孵若虫对西花蓟马2龄若虫和朱砂叶螨成螨均表现为正喜好性,其喜好性Ci值无显著差异,刚蜕皮后的5龄若虫和新羽化雌成虫对西花蓟马2龄若虫和桃蚜低龄若虫均表现为正喜好性,2者对西花蓟马的喜好性Ci值均显著大于对桃蚜。【结论】微小花蝽日捕食量最大的猎物是朱砂叶螨,其次是西花蓟马,而其最喜好的猎物则是西花蓟马。     

Isolation and identification of the aggregation pheromone released by male adults of Frankliniella intonsa (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)

明确花蓟马Frankliniella intonsa雄虫释放的聚集信息素对于花蓟马生物防治具有重要意义.但目前除了西花蓟马F.occidentalis,关于其他蓟马雄虫释放的聚集信息素及其成分鉴定的研究未有报道.本研究采用Y型嗅觉仪测定花蓟马雌雄成虫和西花蓟马雌雄成虫对花蓟马雄虫和西花蓟马雄虫气味源的嗅觉反应;用固相微萃取( solid-phase microextraction,SPME)方法提取花蓟马雄虫挥发物,利用含有BGB-176 SE或CP-chirasil-Dex CB 2种不同手性柱的气-质联用仪(gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,GC-MS)对挥发物进行分离和鉴定.行为学试验结果表明:花蓟马雄虫气味源对其雄性及雌性成虫均具有明显的吸引作用.经GC-MS分析,花蓟马雄虫挥发物中含有2种主要的化合物,分别为(R)-lavandulyl acetate和neryl (S) -2-methylbutanoate,其与已报道的西花蓟马雄虫释放的聚集信息素成分相同.但定量分析结果表明,(R)-lavandulyl acetate与neryl (S) -2-methylbutanoate在花蓟马和西花蓟马雄虫中释放的比例不同;行为学试验进一步证明,2种组分比例的不同在花蓟马和西花蓟马种间识别过程中发挥重要作用.本研究推测花蓟马属的昆虫释放的聚集信息素组分可能是相同的.     

南方小花蝽在不同试验空间对西花蓟马的捕食及搜寻效应

【背景】南方小花蝽是一类很有利用前景的捕食性天敌,而有关其在不同捕食空间下对我国局部地区暴发成灾的重要入侵害虫西花蓟马捕食控制效能的研究较少。【方法】在实验室条件下比较研究了南方小花蝽成虫在不同试验空间对西花蓟马成虫、若虫的捕食选择性、捕食功能反应与搜寻效应。【结果】南方小花蝽成虫对西花蓟马若虫的捕食选择性强于成虫;在相同的试验空间,南方小花蝽成虫的日均捕食量随猎物数量的增加而增大,其对西花蓟马成虫和若虫的捕食量在猎物数量为每指形管中60头时最大,分别为15.90和19.30头;而搜寻效应随猎物数量的增加而降低。在各供试条件下,捕食功能反应均符合Holling Ⅱ型方程;南方小花蝽成虫在小饲养容器中对西花蓟马若虫的瞬时攻击率最大,为1.2794;而在大饲养容器中对西花蓟马成虫的瞬时攻击率最小,仅为0.3506,其处理1头西花蓟马成虫的时间约需0.0402d,而处理1头若虫的时间仅需0.0242d。在相同的猎物数量下,南方小花蝽成虫在大饲养容器中对西花蓟马的日均捕食量均低于其在小饲养容器中对西花蓟马的日均捕食量。【结论与意义】南方小花蝽对西花蓟马有很强的捕食效能,对西花蓟马的种群消长具有一定控制作用。本研究旨在为应用南方小花蝽防治西花蓟马积累资料,同时为西花蓟马的综合治理奠定理论基础。     

六种常见杀虫剂对西花蓟马和花蓟马的毒力测定

为了明确常用杀虫剂对入侵害虫西花蓟马和本地近缘优势种花蓟马的毒力作用,在室内采用菜豆浸渍饲喂法,分别测定了6种常用杀虫剂对云南昆明地区两种蓟马2龄若虫、雌虫及雄虫的毒力。结果表明:6种杀虫剂对西花蓟马和花蓟马2龄若虫和成虫的LC_(50)以6%乙基多杀菌素的最低,对西花蓟马和花蓟马2龄若虫和成虫LC_(50)值分别为:0.611、0.333 mg/L和1.731、1.202 mg/L;LC_(50)值以10%吡丙醚最高,对西花蓟马和花蓟马2龄若虫和成虫LC_(50)值分别为1238.005、845.819 mg/L和9037.110、4766.376 mg/L。6种杀虫剂对西花蓟马和花蓟马各虫态的毒力作用依次为:乙基多杀菌素阿维菌素溴氰菊酯啶虫脒吡虫啉吡丙醚,且所有供试杀虫剂对西花蓟马LC_(50)均大于花蓟马,对雌虫LC_(50)大于雄虫。说明了蓟马雌虫对杀虫剂的敏感度低于雄虫,且生物源杀虫剂的室内杀虫效果强于化学杀虫剂,是西花蓟马防治中优先选择的杀虫剂。     

花蓟马雄虫释放的聚集信息素的分离和鉴定

明确花蓟马Frankliniella intonsa雄虫释放的聚集信息素对于花蓟马生物防治具有重要意义。但目前除了西花蓟马F. occidentalis, 关于其他蓟马雄虫释放的聚集信息素及其成分鉴定的研究未有报道。本研究采用Y型嗅觉仪测定花蓟马雌雄成虫和西花蓟马雌雄成虫对花蓟马雄虫和西花蓟马雄虫气味源的嗅觉反应; 用固相微萃取（solid-phase microextraction,SPME）方法提取花蓟马雄虫挥发物, 利用含有BGB-176 SE或CP-chirasil-Dex CB 2种不同手性柱的气-质联用仪（gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, GC-MS）对挥发物进行分离和鉴定。行为学试验结果表明： 花蓟马雄虫气味源对其雄性及雌性成虫均具有明显的吸引作用。经GC-MS分析, 花蓟马雄虫挥发物中含有2种主要的化合物, 分别为(R)-lavandulyl acetate和neryl (S)-2-methylbutanoate, 其与已报道的西花蓟马雄虫释放的聚集信息素成分相同。但定量分析结果表明, (R)-lavandulyl acetate与neryl (S)-2-methylbutanoate在花蓟马和西花蓟马雄虫中释放的比例不同; 行为学试验进一步证明, 2种组分比例的不同在花蓟马和西花蓟马种间识别过程中发挥重要作用。本研究推测花蓟马属的昆虫释放的聚集信息素组分可能是相同的。     

西花蓟马GABA受体基因鉴定及FoRDL 在多杀霉素抗性中的作用

【目的】γ-氨基丁酸(γ-aminobutyric acid, GABA)是动物神经系统中一种重要的神经递质。本研究旨在鉴定西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis γ-氨基丁酸受体(GABA receptors, GABAR)家族基因,明确离子型受体(GABA_AR)在西花蓟马对多杀霉素抗性形成中的作用。【方法】根据西花蓟马基因组和转录组数据,鉴定并克隆GABAR基因,进行生物信息学分析;采用qPCR检测GABAAR亚基基因FoRDL, FoLCCH3和FoGRD在西花蓟马多杀霉素敏感品系不同发育阶段(1-2龄若虫、蛹和成虫)的表达模式及在敏感和抗性品系成虫期的相对表达量差异;对西花蓟马敏感品系3日龄成虫的FoRDL进行RNAi 24 h后,在0.250和0.400 mg/L多杀霉素处理下生物测定计算西花蓟马成虫死亡率。【结果】注释并克隆获得8个GABAR基因：FoRDL, FoLCCH3, FoGRD, FoGRD like1, FoGRD-like2, FoB1, FoB2和FoB-like(GenBank登录号: MH148151-MH148158),其ORF长度介于1 080~3 720 bp;系统进化分析表明,西花蓟马的GABAR基因与其他昆虫物种相应基因聚类,具有很高的保守性。GABA_AR亚基FoRDL, FoLCCH3和FoGRD具有典型的N端胞外区环结构(loop A-F)和4个跨膜区(TM 1-4);FoRDL外显子3存在互斥剪切。FoRDL, FoLCCH3和FoGRD的表达量随多杀霉素敏感品系西花蓟马发育阶段逐渐升高,成虫期达最高;FoRDL在西花蓟马抗性品系成虫期的表达量显著低于敏感品系成虫期的。对西花蓟马敏感品系的FoRDL进行RNAi后,在0.250和0.400 mg/L多杀霉素处理剂量下,西花蓟马成虫死亡率均显著下降,分别比对照下降了55.80%和43.00%。【结论】在西花蓟马体内鉴定到5个离子型和3个代谢型GABAR基因,其中FoRDL可能在西花蓟马对多杀霉素产生抗性中发挥一定作用。     

西花蓟马成虫昼间交配习性和聚集信息素释放节律

【目的】西花蓟马Frankliniella occidentalis是一种毁灭性的世界性入侵害虫,对我国蔬菜和花卉等作物具有重大威胁。为了更好地应用蓟马聚集信息素进行西花蓟马监测和防治,本试验在室内对西花蓟马昼间交配习性、雌雄互作和雄成虫聚集信息素释放节律进行研究。【方法】通过单独配对和群体配对两种方法研究西花蓟马成虫在光照阶段的第1,4,8和12小时4个不同时间的交配行为;采用显微摄像系统研究西花蓟马雌雄成虫间4个不同时间的互作节律;采用固相微萃取法和气质联用仪分析西花蓟马雄成虫聚集信息素两种组分neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate和(R)-lavandulyl acetate在4个不同时间的释放节律。【结果】西花蓟马成虫在光照阶段的4个不同时间内的交配率、交配历期(持续时间)、雌雄互作次数和雄成虫对雌成虫的交配尝试次数均不存在显著差异,说明交配行为和雌雄互作行为不具有明显的节律性。西花蓟马雄成虫聚集信息素具有引诱活性的neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate在光照阶段的这4个不同时间的释放率不存在显著差异,其释放节律与西花蓟马成虫的交配相关行为相一致。另一种不具有引诱活性的组分(R)-lavandulyl acetate在光照阶段的这4个不同时间释放率具有显著差异,呈逐渐增高趋势。【结论】本研究证实了西花蓟马成虫在室内光照条件下交配相关行为不存在明显的节律性,其聚集信息素主要引诱成分neryl(S)-2-methylbutanoate的释放亦无明显的节律性。该结果为进一步研究西花蓟马聚集信息素不同组分的行为调控作用提供了理论依据,同时为合理高效地应用聚集信息素进行西花蓟马田间种群动态监测和防控提供指导。     

Correlation between mandibular gland secretion and cuticular hydrocarbons in the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata

We investigated whether Melipona quadrifasciata worker mandibular gland secretions contribute directly to their cuticular hydrocarbon profile. The mandibular gland secretion composition and cuticular surface compounds of newly emerged worker bees, nurse bees, and foragers were determined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry and compared. Both the mandibular gland secretions and the cuticular surface compounds of all worker stages were found to be composed almost exclusively of hydrocarbons. Although the relative proportion of hydrocarbons from the cuticular surface and gland secretion was statistically different, there was a high similarity in the qualitative composition between these structures in all groups of bees.     

Cuticular hydrocarbons rather than peptides are responsible for nestmate recognition in Polistes dominulus

A colony of social insects is like a fortress where access is allowed only to colony members. The epicuticular mixture of hydrocarbons has been widely reported to be involved in nestmate recognition in insects. However, recent studies have shown that polar compounds (mainly peptides) are also present, mixed with hydrocarbons, on the cuticle of various insects, including the paper wasps of the genus Polistes. As these polar compounds are variable among Polistes species and are perceived by the wasps, this cuticular fraction could also be involved in nestmate recognition. Through MALDI-TOF (Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight) mass spectrometry analysis, we assessed, for the first time, the intercolonial variability of the cuticular polar fraction of Polistes dominulus in order to evaluate its reliability as source of nestmate recognition cues. We then tested through behavioral assays the importance of the 2 isolated fractions (apolar and polar) in nestmate recognition by presenting them separately to colonies of P. dominulus. Our results showed that the cuticular polar compounds are not colony specific and they are not used by paper wasps to discriminate nestmates from non-colony members. On the contrary, we confirmed that the isolated cuticular hydrocarbons are the chemical mediators prompting nestmate recognition in paper wasps.     

Cuticular hydrocarbons of triatomines

Triatomine insects (Hemiptera) are the vectors of Chagas disease. Their cuticular surface is covered by a thin layer of lipids, mainly hydrocarbons, wax esters, fatty alcohols, and free or esterified fatty acids. These lipids play a major role in preventing a lethal desiccation, altering the absorption of chemicals and microorganism penetration, they also participate in chemical communication events. Lipid components are biosynthetically related, the synthesis of long chain and very long chain fatty acids was first shown in the integument of Triatoma infestans through the concerted action of fatty acid synthases (FAS's) and fatty acyl-CoA elongases. A final decarboxylation step produces the corresponding hydrocarbon. Capillary gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analyses showed that cuticular hydrocarbons of Triatominae comprise saturated straight and methyl-branched chains, from 18 to more than 43 carbon atoms. Odd-chain hydrocarbons, mostly from 27 to 33 carbons, are the major straight chains. Different isomers of mono, di, tri, and tetramethylcomponents, mostly from 29 to 39 atoms in the carbon skeleton, account for the major methyl-branched hydrocarbons. The presence, absence, and relative quantities of these hydrocarbons represent characters for their chemical phenotype, and are useful for differentiating genera, species and populations. In this review, we will discuss the metabolic pathways involved in hydrocarbon formation, and their structure, together with their role in insect survival. We will also review the utility of cuticular hydrocarbon fingerprints in chemotaxonomy.     

Workers and queens of the European hornetVespa crabro L. have colony-specific cuticular hydrocarbon profiles (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Summary Cuticular hydrocarbons were extracted from sixty individual workers from six colonies ofVespa crabro L. and analyzed by combined gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry. Discriminant analysis of the cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of workers and queens showed that the wasps could be grouped by colony and by caste. Stepwise discriminant analysis selected the components which were weighted most heavily in these analyses. Different combinations of cuticular hydrocarbons were important in grouping workers by colony, queens and workers by colony, and workers and queens by caste.     

白蚁表皮碳氢化合物研究进展

近年来, 固相微萃取等现代技术的使用显著促进了白蚁表皮碳氢化合物研究的开展。至今, 已有约29种白蚁的表皮碳氢化合物组分得到鉴定, 分属于木白蚁科、 鼻白蚁科、 原白蚁科和白蚁科, 其组分主要为正烷烃、 含有不同数量甲基的支链烷烃及少量烯烃。白蚁表皮碳氢化合物不仅具有一定的科、 属特异性, 大多数种类还具备特有组分, 表明其可作为种间识别的指标。表皮碳氢化合物组分在种内个体识别方面的作用, 在低等白蚁中多获得了支持性结果, 但也有研究认为在这些种类中表皮碳氢化合物不是种内个体识别（同巢个体识别）的唯一指标。发现其与品级分化的相关是近年来白蚁表皮碳氢化合物研究的重要进展。有些种类表皮碳氢化合物的年消长与生殖蚁的分化有关; 而另一些种类生殖蚁含有表皮碳氢化合物特有组分, 其含量与生殖蚁的生殖状态有关, 提示其可能在品级分化中发挥重要作用。作为研究白蚁品级分化和维持机理的新方向, 表皮碳氢化合物值得进一步研究探索。     

The chemical characterization of the epicuticular hydrocarbons of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)

The chemical characterization of the hydrocarbon fraction of the epicuticular lipids of the vector mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) was performed using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seventy eight compounds were detected in purified hexane extracts and of these, 42 hydrocarbons were identified and several of the remaining compounds were partially characterized. The hydrocarbon classes present were n-alkanes, monomethylalkanes, dimethylalkanes and alkenes and the results were similar to those published for other Aedes species. Quantitative comparisons of cuticular hydrocarbon profiles were made between males and females, different age groups and between a standard laboratory strain and a recently colonized strain of A. aegypti. These results provide baseline data for further studies on the possible role of mosquito cuticular hydrocarbons in the modification of mating behaviour.     

Sex, age and ovarian activity affect cuticular hydrocarbons in Diacamma ceylonense, a queenless ant

In the queenless ant, Diacamma ceylonense, the cuticular hydrocarbons (C25-C35) of nestmate workers vary in their proportions according to age and fertility. Newly eclosed adults ('callows') initially have the same cuticular profile, but with time this changes to that typical of foragers. In contrast, workers that begin to produce eggs develop a different cuticular profile. Several substances (n-C29 and some methyl C25 and C27) discriminate these different social categories (callows, foragers and egg-layers). In Diacamma ceylonense, inter-colony variation of the cuticular hydrocarbons was much lower than intra-colony variation. We also found qualitative differences between the sexes, with males having a clearly different profile with much more alkanes. We discuss these results in the context of physiological models of the relation between ovarian activity and the synthesis of cuticular hydrocarbons. Variations in cuticular profile are a reliable reflection of ovarian activity, and could be used by ants as a fertility signal.     

Development changes of cuticular hydrocarbons in Chrysomya rufifacies larvae: potential for determining larval age

Age determination is the basis of determining the postmortem interval using necrophagous fly larvae. To explore the potential of using cuticular hydrocarbons for determining the ages of fly larvae, changes of cuticular hydrocarbons in developing larvae of Chrysomya rufifacies (Macquart) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) were investigated using gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study showed that the larvae produced cuticular hydrocarbons typical of insects. Most of the hydrocarbons identified were alkanes with the carbon chain length of 21-31, plus six kinds of alkenes. The hydrocarbon composition of the larvae correlated with age. The statistical results showed that simple peak ratios of n-C29 divided by another eight selected peaks increased significantly with age; their relationships with age could be modelled using exponential or power functions with R(2) close to or > 0.80. These results suggest that cuticular hydrocarbon composition is a useful indicator for determining the age of larval C. rufifacies, especially for post-feeding larvae, which are difficult to differentiate by morphology.     

Sexual dimorphism in cuticular hydrocarbons of the Australian field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

Sexual dimorphism is presumed to reflect adaptive divergence in response to selection favouring different optimal character states in the two sexes. Here, we analyse patterns of sexual dimorphism in the cuticular hydrocarbons of the Australian field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus using gas chromatography. Ten of the 25 peaks found in our chromatographs, differed in their relative abundance between the sexes. The presence of sexual dimorphism in T. oceanicus is discussed in reference to a review of sexual dimorphism in cuticular hydrocarbons of other insects. We found that this trait has been examined in 103 species across seven different orders. Seventy-six of these species (73%) displayed sex specificity of cuticular hydrocarbons, the presence/absence of which does not appear to be directly linked to phylogeny. The occurrence of sexual dimorphism in cuticular hydrocarbons of some but not other species, and the extent of variation within genera, suggest that this divergence has been driven primarily by sexual selection.     

Task-related variation of postpharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbon compositions in the ant Myrmicaria eumenoides

In the ant Myrmicaria eumenoides we investigated postpharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbons. At eclosion the glands contained almost no hydrocarbons and there were no lipid inclusions in the glandular epithelium. During the first 3 weeks of adult life the amount of hydrocarbons in the gland increased until day 5, and then remained constant while the lipid content in the epithelium increased steadily. Intracolonial hydrocarbon compositions were not uniform. Compositions of post-pharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbons in individual ants varied simultaneously, but in different manner depending on the tasks of the ant (brood-tenders, foragers, scouts). Variations on the cuticle were greater than in the gland, but they were strongly correlated. Independent of ants' age and task, cuticular hydrocarbon compositions were dominated by alkenes and alkadienes. Task-specific differences in cuticular compositions were mainly in the amount of alkenes (high in foragers) and alkadienes (high in brood-tenders). Variation of hydrocarbons was low in ants up to 10 weeks old. Thereafter, ants fell into two groups: (1) ants that did not change their hydrocarbons and remained in the nest, and (2) ants that changed their hydrocarbon compositions and became foragers. These results contribute to an ongoing discussion of the dynamic relationship between post-pharyngeal and cuticular hydrocarbons.