VOLATILE GLANDULAR SECRETIONS OF 3 SPECIES OF NEW-WORLD ARMY ANTS, ECITON-BURCHELLI, LABIDUS-COECUS, AND LABIDUS-PRAEDATOR

The Dufour glands of workers of Eciton burchelli contain a mixture of small quantities of oxygenated compounds, some of which are derived from terpenes, and C-17-C25 hydrocarbons. The secretion of the Dufour glands of soldiers was either similar to that of workers, with geranylacetone a significant component, or they contained geranyllinalool in large amounts. The glands of workers and soldiers of Labidus praedator and Labidus coecus contained (E)-beta-ocimene, a new substance for the Dufour glands of ants. 4-Methyl-3-heptanone was the dominant compound in the mandibular glands of E. burchelli and L. coecus. Skatole and indole were found in the gasters of L. praedator, and skatole was present in the venom glands of some soldiers of E. burchelli.