In the European slave-making ant Polyergus rufescens, the occurrence of che
mical strategies during the initial phase of dependent colony foundation or
usurpation was investigated. To test this idea, we analysed the effect of
the secretion of different glands (Dufour's, poison, pygidial, rectal, and
mandibular) on the behaviour of workers of its common host species, Formica
cuniculavia (subgenus Serviformica). Workers of another species, Formica r
ufibarbis (Serviformica), were daubed with these extracts, and introduced i
nto colony fragments of F. cuniculavia. The results of a set of laboratory
aggression test showed that the secretion of the mandibular, pygidial, rect
al, and poison glands do not alter the characteristic aggressive reactions
generally performed by resident workers against alien ants. By contrast, th
e Dufour's gland seems to play a crucial role in the appeasement of residen
ts of the target host colony. In fact, its secretion drastically lowers the
degree of overt attacks shown by F. cunicularia workers against the intrud
ers. This chemical strategy probably allows an easier invasion and usurpati
on of host colonies by newly mated females of P. rufescens.