Journal of Chemical Ecology (2001) 27, 2437-2445

Leopoldo Cruz-López, Julio C. Rojas, Ricardo De La Cruz-Cordero and E. David Morgan (2001)
Behavioral and chemical analysis of venom gland secretion of queens of the ant Solenopsis geminata
Journal of Chemical Ecology 27 (12), 2437-2445
Abstract: Bioassays in a Y-tube olfactometer showed that workers of Solenopsis geminata (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were attracted to venom gland extracts of queens. Gas chromatography coupled mass spectrometry analysis of individual glands of queens of S. geminata showed that the secretion is composed mainly of a large amount of 2-alkyl-6-methylpiperidine alkaloids and a tiny amount of a delta-lactone and a alpha-pyrone, which have been earlier identified as components of the queen attractant pheromone of Solenopsis invicta Buren. However, additional small amounts of a mixture of sesquiterpenes and pentadecene were found. The possible function of the sesquiterpenoid compounds is discussed.
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Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Leopoldo Cruz-López, Julio C. Rojas

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
environment - cropping system/rotation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Solenopsis geminata