The Contents of the Dufour Gland of the Ant Harpagoxenus sublaevis Nyl. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Abstract The volatile components of the Dufour gland secretion of workers cf the ant Harpagoxenus sublaevis have been analysed by gas chrom atography and mass spectrometry. Over 20 com ponents have been identified, consisting of linear and terpenoid hydrocarbons. Each gland contains approximately 6 ng of hydrocarbons with n-heptadecene (40% ) and /n-heptadecadiene (30% ) as the major components. Two terpenoid hydrocarbons, (E)-β-farnesene and a homofarnesene isomer were also identified.