The mandibular glands as a source of sexual pheromones in virgin queens of Polyergus rufescens (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

Abstract>

‘Female‐calling syndrome’ is the reproductive strategy adopted by the European slave‐making ant Polyergus rufescens, where a winged female disperses a short distance from the nest, ascends to an elevated position (at the top of a blade of grass) and is joined shortly thereafter by conspecific males. This suggests the probable use of very effective sexual calling pheromones by females. Here, the role of the mandibular glands of winged females is demonstrated to be a source of sexual pheromones. The secretion of these glands (among the structures tested: the mandibular, Dufour, poison and pygidial glands and the head without mandibular glands) appears to have a strong attractive effect on males and also elicits male copulatory behaviour.

Key words:

• Slave‐making ant
• Female‐calling syndrome
• Sexual pheromones
• Mandibular glands
• Polyergus rufescens.