BEHAVIORAL-EFFECTS OF AN EXPERIMENTAL CHANGE IN THE CHEMICAL SIGNATURE OF THE ANT CAMPONOTUS-VAGUS (SCOP)

To test whether a change in a worker's cuticular mixture is perceived by other workers in a Camponotus vagus colony, (Z)-9-tricosene, a hydr ocarbon which is not synthesized by this species, was dissolved in an organic solvent (pentane) and deposited on the worker's cuticle. Each treated worker was then placed in contact with 5 non-treated workers a nd the behavioural effects were investigated. The following interactio ns were analysed: antennations, trophallactic contacts, self-grooming, licking, mandible opening and biting. Detailed analysis of the antenn ations and mandible openings showed that the non-treated workers did i n fact perceive the induced change in the chemical signature of the tr eated worker. The data suggest, however, that the non-treated workers quickly became habituated to the presence of (Z)-9-tricosene on the cu ticle of the treated worker.