The trail pheromone of the ant, Lasius fuliginosus: Identification of six components

Hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, and dodecanoic acid are components of the trail pheromone of the ant, Lasius fuliginosus. The acids were extracted from the rectal fluid of dissected worker ants, and identified by the mass spectra and gas chromatographic retention times of the corresponding methyl esters. The same acids could also be detected in the material excreted by the ants on their foraging path.