SPECIES-SPECIFIC SECRETIONS OF THE DUFOUR GLANDS OF 3 SPECIES OF FORMICINE ANTS (HYMENOPTERA, FORMICIDAE)

The Dufour glands of F. selysi and C. lateralis have been examined for the first time, and those of F. rufibarbis are re-examined. The secretion of F. selysi is similar to (but distinguishable from) that of F. lemani, with chiefly undecane and smaller amounts of other linear and some branched hydrocarbons. The gland of F. rufibarbis contains hydrocarbons, esters, alcohols and lactones, with decyl acetate the major substance followed by undecane. Three alkyl formates have also been identified in the mixture. No farnesene isomers or homologues were detected. C. lateralis also belongs to the group of formicine ants that produces a mixture of hydrocarbons and related oxygenated compounds. Its major components are tridecane followed by tetradecyl acetate but for some individuals 99% of the secretion consisted of tridecane and 5-pentadecane only. The composition of the single queen's gland was not different. Each of these species produces a blend of substances not found in any other species yet examined. All three have relatively large glands with more than 1-mu-g secretion, on average. The heads and dissected mandibular glands were also examined but no quantity of material was found that indicated the mandibular glands contained volatile pheromones.