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Chemical communication and "propaganda" in slave-maker ants
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 16, 1971
Summary
Slave-maker ants use specific odor trails to guide raids. Chemical extracts from their glands create effective signals, attracting raiders while repelling defenders, functioning as propaganda substances.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Ecology
- Animal Behavior
- Entomology
Background:
- Slave-maker ants (Formica sanguinea group) rely on odor trails for coordinating raids on other ant colonies.
- Understanding the chemical basis of these trails is crucial for deciphering their social behavior and raiding strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the chemical composition and function of odor trails used by slave-maker ants.
- To identify specific compounds responsible for trail guidance and alarm signaling during raids.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of whole-body extracts and Dufour's gland/hindgut extracts from Formica ants.
- Experimental application of artificial trails to guide ant behavior.
- Observation of ant responses to chemical stimuli during simulated raids.
Main Results:
- Artificial trails using Dufour's gland and hindgut extracts effectively guided ant worker columns.
- Hypertrophied Dufour's glands in F. pergandei and F. subintegra contain significant amounts of decyl, dodecyl, and tetradecyl acetates.
- These acetates act as potent alarm signals, attracting slave-makers and dispersing defenders.
Conclusions:
- Specific acetates from Dufour's glands serve as key "propaganda substances" in slave-making ant raids.
- These chemicals manipulate both raider attraction and defender repulsion, optimizing raid success.