Chemistry of metapleural gland secretions of three attine ants, Atta sexdens rubropilosa, Atta cephalotes, andAcromyrmex octospinosus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

…, E Schoeters, ED Morgan, J Billen, DJ Stradling

Index: Do Nascimento, Ruth R.; Schoeters, Eric; Morgan, E. David; Billen, Johan; Stradling, David J. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 1996 , vol. 22, # 5 p. 987 - 1000

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Citation Number: 61

Abstract

Abstract The chemical composition of the secretions of the metapleural glands of workers and soldiers of two Atta species, Atta sexdens rubropilosa and A. cephalotes, and workers of Acromyrmex octospinosus, has been studied. As indicated by infrared spectrometry and confirmed by the ninhydrin test, the secretions contain chiefly proteins. Of the volatile acidic portion, which is present as ionized salts, phenylacetic acid is the major component in ...