Response of workers of Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) to mandibular gland compounds of virgin males and females |
| |
| Authors: | J. MAURÍ CIO S. BENTO,TEREZINHA M. C. DELLA LUCIA,RUTH R. DO NASCIMENTO,JAN BERGMANN,E. DAVID MORGAN |
| |
| Affiliation: | Depto de Entomologia, Fitopatologia e Zool. Agrícola, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba-SP, Brazil;, Depto de Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa-MG, Brazil;, Institute of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Universidade Federal de Alagoas, Maceió-AL, Brazil;, Instituto de Química, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile;and Chemical Ecology Group, Lennard-Jones Laboratory, Keele University, Staffordshire, U.K. |
| |
| Abstract: | Abstract. The secretion from the mandibular glands of males of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa is responsible for the reaction of workers outside the nest at the time of sexual swarming. Workers respond with excitability and aggression when presented with the natural mixture of 4-methyl-3-heptanol and 4-methyl-3-heptanone, which is contained in the secretion of the male mandibular glands. Workers respond quickly to fractional amounts of one male equivalent. 4-Methyl-3-heptanone, from the virgin female mandibular glands causes much less response in workers, whereas an equimolar mixture of male and female pheromones gives a still less clear response. The male pheromone plays the most important part in the communication of workers outside the nest at this time. |
| |
| Keywords: | Aggression excitation leaf-cutting ants 4-methyl-3-heptanol 4-methyl-3-heptanone pheromone virgin males virgin females worker behaviour |
|
|
