VOLATILE SECRETORY PRODUCTS OF AN AUSTRALIAN FORMICINE ANT OF THE GENUS CALOMYRMEX (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

The mandibular gland secretions of workers, gynes and males of an Australian species of Calomyrmex* have been analysed and the following volatile components have been identified: nerol (8), geraniol (9), 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one (2), 6-methylhept-5-en-2-ol (4), 3-(2-methylpropyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrazine (5), 3-(2-methylbutyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrazine (6), 3-(3-methylbutyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrazine (7), 2-(1-methylethyl)-4-methylhex-2-enal (1), 2-(1-methylethyl)-5-methylhex-2-enal (3) and a 2,4-dimethyl-5-hexanolide (M1) (males only). Behavioural tests with specimen compounds from four classes of components present in the workers' secretion indicate that the pyrazine derivatives (and possibly, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one) are implicated in alarm reaction, but no behavioural role can be ascribed to the other components. The novel lactone present in the male secretion is presumed to function as a sex pheromone. © 1979.