Alarm Pheromones of the Ant Atta Texana

Abstract

Methyl-3-heptanone (0.59 μg/head) and 2-heptanone (0.14 μg/head) are the main volatile components of the mandibular glands of major workers. In the laboratory, worker ants detected and were attracted by 4-methyl-3-heptanone at a concentration of 5.7 x 10^-13 g/cm³ (2.7 x 10⁷ molecules/cm³). They were alarmed by a concentration of 5.7 x 10^-12 g/cm³ (2.7 x 10⁸ molecules/cm³). 2-Heptanone is less effective by a factor of 1000. In the field, low concentrations attract and alarm; high concentrations repel and alarm.

Citation

Moser, John C.; Brownlee, R. C.; Silverstein, R. 1968. Alarm Pheromones of the Ant Atta Texana. Journal of Insect Physiol 14: 529–535