J. Moser, R. Brownlee, R. Silverstein
Apr 1, 1968
Citations
7
Influential Citations
99
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
Journal of insect physiology
Abstract
Abstract 4-Methyl-3-heptanone (0·59 μg/head) and 2-heptanone (0·14 μg/head) are the main volatile components of the mandibular glands of major workers. In the laboratory, worker ants detected and were attracted by 4-methyl-3-heptanone at a concentration of 5·7 × 10−13 g/cm3 (2·7 × 107 molecules/cm3). They were alarmed by a concentration of 5·7 × 10−12 g/cm3 (2·7 × 108 molecules/cm3). 2-Heptanone is less effective by a factor of 1000. In the field, low concentrations attract and alarm; high concentrations repel and alarm.