Alarm pheromones of the ant Atta texana
Abstract
4-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 × 10 ‑13 g/cm 3 (2·7 × 10 7 molecules/cm 3). They were alarmed by a concentration of 5·7 × 10 ‑12 g/cm 3 (2·7 × 10 8 molecules/cm 3). 2-Heptanone is less effective by a factor of 1000. In the field, low concentrations attract and alarm; high concentrations repel and alarm.
- Publication:
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Journal of Insect Physiology
- Pub Date:
- January 1968
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 1968JInsP..14..529M