Agonistic behavior of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa elicited by caryophyllene

Caryophyllene is shown to evoke agonistic behavior among nestmates of the l eaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilose. Laboratory colonies were presente d with caryophyllene on an acceptable bait. The behavioral responses observ ed include repellency, alarm, self-grooming, and arrestant behavior. follow ed by fighting. When caryophyllene was presented to the workers on inert fi lter paper fighting did not take place, but the other behaviors were observ ed. Individual workers smeared with caryophyllene produce an alarm response in nestmates. Caryophyllene produces the strongest reaction in workers tha t were within 2.5 cm of the sources and a variation in sensitivity to caryo phyllene appears to exist in different subcastes, with soldiers being the l east sensitive. The behavior of the workers to caryophyllene was quantified from video recordings.