Mandibular gland secretion in different castes of the leaf-cutter ant Attalaevigata

Gas chromatography analyses and behavioral assays showed that Atta laevigat a, a highly polymorphic ant species, has a mandibular gland secretion that varies with castes. All castes contain 4-methyl-3-heptanone as the main com ponent and its concentration is proportional to head size. Small workers an d soldiers, but not medium size workers, also contain 4-methyl-3-heptanol, Queens show variations in their chemical composition after mating, as virgi n males contain a secretion dominated by 4-methyl-3-heptanol, and, in a les ser proportion, 4-methyl-3-heptanone. In mated males these proportions are inverted. The compounds 4-methyl-6-hepten-3-one, 4-methyl-4-hepten-3-one, 6 -methyl-tetradecene, and 2,6-dimethyl-2-dodecene are found only in queens. The behavioral response elicited by the secretion is mainly alarm, which is elicited more strongly by glands of larger workers. The results suggest th at chemical castes, behavioral castes, and morphological castes overlap in this species.