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Soldier frontal glands of the termiteMacrotermes subhyalinus: Morphology, chemical composition, and use in defense

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Abstract

Soldiers of the East African fungus-growing termiteMacrotermes subhyalinus (Rambur) (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae) employ both mechanical and chemical defenses. Soldiers release a chemical secretion composed of long-chain saturated and monounsaturated hydrocarbons into wounds inflicted by their powerful mandibles. Chemical analysis of the secretion shows the paraffin fraction to consist primarily ofn-tricosane,n-pentacosane, 3- and 5-methylpentacosane, and 5-methylheptacosane. The major oleflns were identified as (Z)-9-heptacosene and (Z)-9-nonacosene. The secretion originates from the frontal glands of both major and minor soldiers; however, the hypertrophied gland of the major soldiers contains 500-fold more secretion than that of the minor soldiers. This secretion appears to impair the healing of wounds in test ants, and thus could represent a valuable supplement to the mechanical defense mechanism.

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Author notes

  1. Glenn D. Prestwich & M. F. B. Chaudhury

    Present address: Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, 11794, Stony Brook, New York

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology, P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya

    Glenn D. Prestwich

  2. U.S.D.A. Organic Chemicals Synthesis Laboratory, Agricultural Environmental Quality Institute, 20705, Beltsville, Maryland

    B. A. Bierl & E. D. Devilbiss

Authors
  1. Glenn D. Prestwich
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  2. B. A. Bierl
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  3. E. D. Devilbiss
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  4. M. F. B. Chaudhury
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Prestwich, G.D., Bierl, B.A., Devilbiss, E.D. et al. Soldier frontal glands of the termiteMacrotermes subhyalinus: Morphology, chemical composition, and use in defense. J Chem Ecol 3, 579–590 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00989078

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00989078

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