Complex chemical communication in the crazy ant Paratrechina longicornis Latreille (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Volker Witte, Athula B. Attygalle, Jerrold Meinwald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

The formicine ant Paratrechina longicornis is known for its extremely opportunistic foraging behaviour. Only a single trail pheromone source, the rectum, was previously described from this ant. Our detailed examination of this ant's chemical communication system revealed the presence of at least four sources of pheromones. Rectum, poison sac, and Dufour gland contain orientation components with decreasing effectiveness and persistence (in the sequence mentioned) as well as attractants with increasing effectiveness. Furthermore, the mandibular gland contains repellents, and a releaser of defensive behaviour. This set of various signals of different strength and persistence allows an extraordinary degree of flexibility and efficiency in the collective behaviour of P. longicornis, especially food exploitation, and thus may contribute to this insect's overall ecological success.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)57-62
Number of pages6
JournalChemoecology
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2007

Keywords

  • Alarm
  • Chemical communication
  • Paratrechina longicornis
  • Trail pheromones
  • Tramp ant

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