Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Source of alate excitant pheromones in the red imported fire antSolenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

  • Published:
Journal of Insect Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

At the onset of mating flights inSolenopsis invicta, workers swarm excitedly over the mound as alates prepare to fly. Previous studies demonstrated that this excitement is stimulated by the male and female alates. We investigated the glandular source(s) of pheromones produced by the alates that cause excitement. The only common female and male alate body part that elicited excitement when crushed was the head. Within the head, excised mandibular glands were found to be responsible for worker excitement. Fire ant workers are very sensitive to external stimuli and some excitement was elicited by crushed female gasters and male thoraces, but the response was never as significant as with crushed heads. Tests with summer and winter alates revealed similar results, except that gasters of winter female alates had a greater excitant effect than did gasters of summer female alates. This may be due to the production of attractant pheromones by the poison glands of overwintering female alates. We conclude that the mandibular gland is the source of alate excitant pheromones.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Attygalle, A. B., and Morgan, E. D. (1985). Ant trial pheromones.Adv. Insect Physiol. 18: 1–30.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bass, J. A., and Hays, S. B. (1979). Nuptial flights of the imported fire ant in South Carolina.J. Ga. Entomol. Soc. 14: 158–161.

    Google Scholar 

  • Billen, J. (1990). A survey of the glandular system of fire ants. In Vander Meer, R. K., Jaffe, K., and Cedeno, A. (eds.),Applied Myrmecology, a World Perspective, Westview Press, Boulder, CO, pp. 85–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, M. S. (1969). Alarm pheromones.Annu. Rev. Entomol. 14: 57–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blum, M. S. (1980). Pheromones of adult fire ants. Proc. Tall Timbers.Conf. Ecol. Anim. Control Habitat Manage. 7: 55–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, M. S. (1985). Alarm pheromones. In Kerkut, G. A., and Gilbert, L. I. (eds.),Comprehensive Insect Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology, Vol. 9. Behaviour, Pergamon Press, New York, pp. 193–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blum, M. S., and Amante, E. (1981).o-Aminoacetophenone: Identification in a primitive fungus-growing ant (Mycocepurus goeldii).Experientia 37: 816–817.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blum, M. S., Padovani, F., Hermann, H. R., and Kannowski, P. B. (1968). Chemical releasers of social behavior. XI. Terpenes in the mandibular glands ofLasius umbratus.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 61: 1354–1359.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blum, M. S., Snelling, R. R., Duffield, R. M., Hermann, H. R., Jr., and Lloyd, H. A. (1988). Mandibular gland chemistry ofCamponotus (Myrmothrix) abdominalis: Chemistry and chemosystematic implications (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). In Trager, J. C. (ed.),Advances in Myrmecology, E. J. Brill, Leiden, pp. 481–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, J. W. S., Baker, R., and Howse, P. E. (1975). Multicomponent alarm pheromones of the weaver ant.Nature 258: 230–231.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw, J. W. S., Baker, R., and Howse, P. E. (1979). Multicomponent alarm pheromones in the mandibular glands of major workers of the African weaver ant,Oecophylla longinoda.Physiol. Entomol. 4: 15–25.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brand, J. M., Duffield, R. M., MacConnell, J. G., and Blum, M. S. (1973). Caste-specific compounds in male carpenter ants.Science 179: 388–389.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Buschinger, A., and Alloway, T. M. (1979). Sexual behaviour in the slave-making ant,Harpagoxenus canadensis M. R. Smith, and sexual pheromone experiments withHarpagoxenus canadensis, Harpagoxenus americanus (Emery), andHarpagoxenus sublaevis (Nylander) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Z. Tierpsychol. 49: 113–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buschinger, A., and Maschwitz, U. (1984). Defensive behavior and defensive mechanisms in ants. In Hermann, H. R. (ed.),Defensive Mechanisms in Social Insects, Praeger Scientific, New York, pp. 95–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cammaerts, M. C., Inwood, M. R., Morgan, E. D., Parry, K., and Tyler, R. C. (1978). Comparative study of the pheromones emitted by workers of the antsMyrmica rubra andMyrmica scabrinodis.J. Insect Physiol. 24: 207–214.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cammaerts, M. C., Evershed, R. P., and Morgan, E. D. (1983). The volatile components of the mandibular gland secretion of workers of the antsMyrmica lobicornis andMyrmica sulcinodis.J. Insect Physiol. 29: 659–664.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cammaerts, M. C., Attygalle, A. B., Evershed, R. P., and Morgan, E. D. (1985). The pheromonal activity of chiral 3-octanol forMyrmica ants.Physiol. Entomol. 10: 33–36.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cammaerts-Tricot, M. C. (1973). Pheromones agregeant les ouvrieres deMyrmica rubra.J. Insect Physiol. 19: 1299–1315.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Do Nascimiento, R. R., Morgan, E. D., Billen, J., Schoeters, E., Della Lucia, T. M. C., and Bento, J. M. S. (1993). Variation with caste of the mandibular gland secretion in the leaf-cutting antAtta sexdens rubropilosa.J. Chem. Ecol. 19: 907–918.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duffield, R. M., and Blum, M. S. (1975). Identification, role, and systematic significance of 3-octanone in the carpenter ant,Camponotus schaefferi Whr.Comp. Biochem. Physiol. 51B: 281–282.

    Google Scholar 

  • Duffield, R. M., Brand, J. M., and Blum, M. S. (1977). 6-Methyl-5-hepten-2-one inFormica species: Identification and function as an alarm pheromone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 70: 309–310.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Duffield, R. M., Wheeler, J. W., and Blum, M. S. (1980). Methyl anthranilate: Identification and possible function inAphaenogaster fulva andXenomyrmex floridanus.Fla. Entomol. 63: 203–206.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher, D. J. C., and Blum, M. C. (1983). The inhibitory pheromone of queen fire ants: Effects of disinhibition on dealation and oviposition by virgin queens.J. Comp. Physiol. 153: 467–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, H. G. (1982). Male induction and function of workers’ excitability during swarming in leaf-cutting ants (Atta andAcromyrmex) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) pheromones.Int. J. Invertebr. Reprod. 4: 333–335.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, H. B. (1952). Biology and control of the imported fire ant in Mississippi.J. Econ. Entomol. 45: 593–597.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glancey, B. M., Glover, A., and Lofgren, C. S. (1981). Pheromone production by virgin queens ofSolenopsis invicta Buren.Sociobiology 6: 119–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hölldobler, B. (1971). Sex pheromone in the antXenomyrmex floridanus.J. Insect Physiol. 17: 1497–1499.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hölldobler, B. (1976). The behavioral ecology of mating in harvester ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Pogonomyrmex).Behav. Ecol. Sociobiol. 1: 405–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hölldobler, B. (1995). The chemistry of social regulation: Multicomponent signals in ant societies.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 19–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hölldobler, B., and Haskins, C. P. (1977). Sexual calling behavior in primitive ants.Science 195: 793–794.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hölldobler, B., and Wilson, E. O. (1970). Recruitment trails in the harvester antPogonomyrmex badius.Psyche 77: 385–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hölldobler, B., and Wilson, E. O. (1990).The Ants, Belknap Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hölldobler, B., Palmer, J. M., and Moffett, M. W. (1990). Chemical communication in the dacetine antDaceton armigerum (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).J. Chem. Ecol. 16: 1207–1219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jouvenaz, D. P., Banks, W. A., and Lofgren, C. S. (1974). Fire ants: Attraction of workers to queen secretions.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 67: 442–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kugler, C. (1979). Alarm and defense: A function for the pygidial gland of the myrmicine ant,Pheidole biconstricta, in coffee plantations in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in northern Colombia.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 72: 532–536.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, J. H., Wilson, E. O., and McCloskey, J. A. (1965). Biochemical polymorphism in ants.Science 149: 544–546.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lloyd, H. A., Blum, M. S., and Duffield, R. M. (1975). Chemistry of the male mandibular gland secretion of the ant,Camponotus clarithorax.Insect Biochem. 5: 489–494.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Markin, G. P., Dillier, J. H., Hill, S. O., Blum, M. S., and Hermann, H. R. (1971). Nuptial flight and flight ranges of the imported fire ant,Solenopsis saevissima richteri (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).J. Ga. Entomol. Soc. 6: 145–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markin, G. P., O’Neal, J., and Dillier, J. (1975). Foraging tunnels of the red imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta.J. Kans. Entomol. Soc. 48: 82–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Milio, J., Lofgren, C. S., and Williams, D. F. (1988). Nuptial flight studies of field-collected colonies ofSolenopsis invicta Buren. In Trager, J. C. (ed.),Advances in Myrmecology, E. J. Brill, New York, pp. 419–431.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrill, W. L. (1974). Production and flight of alate red imported fire ants.Environ. Entomol. 3: 265–271.

    Google Scholar 

  • Obin, M. S., and Vander Meer, R. K. (1994). Alate semiochemicals release worker behavior during fire ant nuptial flights.J. Entomol. Sci. 29: 143–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olubajo, O., Duffield, R. M., and Wheeler, J. W. (1980). 4-Heptanone in the mandibular gland secretion of the Nearctic ant,Zacryptocerus varians (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 73: 93–94.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parry, K., and Morgan, E. D. (1979). Pheromones of ants: A review.Physiol. Entomol. 4: 161–189.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pasteels, J. M., Verhaeghe, J. C., Braekman, J. C., Daloze, D., and Tursch, B. (1980). Caste-dependent pheromones in the head of the antTetramorium caespitum.J. Chem. Ecol. 6: 467–472.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, S. A., Jr., and Vinson, S. B. (1980). Comparative morphology of glands associated with the head among castes of the red imported fire ant,Solenopsis invicta Buren.J. Ga. Entomol. Soc. 15: 215–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rhoades, W. C., and Davis, D. R. (1967). Effects of meteorological factors on the biology and control of the imported fire ant.J. Econ. Entomol. 60: 554–558.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, P. L. (1971). Pheromones involved in aggressive behaviour in the ant,Myrmecia gulosa.J. Insect Physiol. 17: 691–715.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sokal, R. R., and Rohlf, F. J. (1981).Biometry, W. H. Freeman, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomalski, M. D., Blum, M. S., Jones, T. H., Fales, H. M., Howard, D. F., and Passera, L. (1987). Chemistry and functions of exocrine secretions of the antsTapinoma melanocephalum andT. erraticum.J. Chem. Ecol. 13: 253–263.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tricot, M.-C., Pasteels, J. M., and Tursch, B. (1972). Phéromones stimulant et inhibant l’agressivité chezMyrmica rubra.J. Insect Physiol. 18: 499–509.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vander Meer, R. K., Glancey, B. M., Lofgren, C. S., Glover, A., Tumlinson, J. H., and Rocca, J. (1980). The poison sac of red imported fire ant queens: Source of a pheromone attractant.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 73: 609–612.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vander Meer, R. K., Alvarez, F., and Lofgren, C. S. (1988). Isolation of the trial recruitment pheromone ofSolenopsis invicta.J. Chem. Ecol. 14: 825–838.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler, J. W., Evans, S. L., Blum, M. S., and Torgerson, R. L. (1975). Cyclopentyl ketones: Identification and function inAzteca ants.Science 187: 254–255.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E. O. (1958). A chemical releaser of alarm and digging behavior in the antPogonomyrmex badius (Latreille).Psyche 65: 41–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E. O. (1962). Chemical communication among workers of the fire antSolenopsis saevissima (Fr. Smith). 3. The experimental induction of social responses.Anim. Behav. 10: 159–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E. O., and Bossert, W. H. (1963). Chemical communication among animals.Recent Prog. Hormone Res. 19: 673–716.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, E. O., and Regnier, F. E., Jr. (1971). The evolution of the alarm-defense system in the formicine ants.Am. Nat. 105: 279–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Leeanne E. Alonso

    Present address: Department of Zoology, University of Oklahoma, 730 Van Vleet Oval, 73019-0235, Norman, Oklahoma

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Medical Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, 1600 SW 23rd Drive, 32608, Gainesville, Florida

    Leeanne E. Alonso & Robert K. Vander Meer

Authors
  1. Leeanne E. Alonso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Robert K. Vander Meer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Alonso, L.E., Vander Meer, R.K. Source of alate excitant pheromones in the red imported fire antSolenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J Insect Behav 10, 541–555 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02765376

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02765376

Key Words

Search

Navigation