Lignoceric acid and hexacosanoic acid: Major components of soldier frontalgland secretions of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus)

Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed on trimethylsilyl deri vatives of soldier frontal gland secretions of the Formosan subterranean te rmite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, by using gas chromatography-mass spe ctrometry. Ranges of 17.23-33.78 mg/g (acid/wet weight of secretion) of lig noceric acid and 5.39-7.67 mg/g of hexacosanoic acid were found in the sold ier frontal gland secretion of three different colonies. This is the first report that organic acids occur in the soldier secretions of this species.