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  1. Alarm Pheromones of the Ant Atta Texana

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    Author(s): John C. Moser; R. C. Brownlee; R. Silverstein
    Date: 1968
    Source: Journal of Insect Physiol 14: 529–535
    Publication Series: Miscellaneous Publication
    PDF: View PDF  (867 KB)

    Description

    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 x 10-13 g/cm3 (2.7 x 107 molecules/cm3). They were alarmed by a concentration of 5.7 x 10-12 g/cm3 (2.7 x 108 molecules/cm3). 2-Heptanone is less effective by a factor of 1000. In the field, low concentrations attract and alarm; high concentrations repel and alarm.

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    Citation

    Moser, John C.; Brownlee, R. C.; Silverstein, R. 1968. Alarm Pheromones of the Ant Atta Texana. Journal of Insect Physiol 14: 529–535

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